Analysis
USC's Human Biology program starts graduates at barely above minimum wage—$23,405 in their first year—which ranks in just the 25th percentile among California's seven programs offering this degree. That's concerning given USC's $14,500 median debt and elite admission standards (10% acceptance rate, 1501 average SAT). Compare this to UCLA's human biology grads who earn $33,628 right away, or even UCI's who start at just $12,187 but carry far less debt burden.
The saving grace here is remarkable income growth: earnings nearly triple to $60,367 by year four, suggesting many graduates are successfully pivoting into medical school, graduate programs, or healthcare careers that take time to materialize. This trajectory makes sense for a pre-med heavy program, but it means your family needs a financial plan for those lean early years when loan payments begin but earnings haven't caught up.
The value equation depends entirely on your child's post-graduation path. If they're heading to medical or graduate school, that first-year salary is temporary and the degree serves its purpose as a stepping stone. But if they plan to work immediately after graduation, they'd start behind peers from less selective programs while carrying comparable debt—a tough position that takes years to overcome.
Where University of Southern California Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human biology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Southern California graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | $23,405 | $60,367 | +158% |
| University of California-Los Angeles | $33,628 | $73,339 | +118% |
| Stanford University | $50,179 | $69,843 | +39% |
| Brown University | $42,162 | $59,566 | +41% |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | $28,493 | $49,275 | +73% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Human Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles | $68,237 | $23,405 | $60,367 | $14,500 | 0.62 |
 Stanford UniversityStanford | $62,484 | $50,179 | $69,843 | $12,500 | 0.25 |
 University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $13,747 | $33,628 | $73,339 | $12,500 | 0.37 |
 University of California-IrvineIrvine | $14,237 | $12,187 | — | $20,900 | 1.71 |
| National Median | — | $31,690 | — | $17,312 | 0.55 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human biology graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
Anthropologists and Archeologists
Biological Scientists, All Other
Bioinformatics Scientists
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Geneticists
Biologists
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Southern California, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 101 graduates with reported earnings and 214 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.