Compare 5 Human Biology. programs in the West. Average earnings: $49,445.
The highest-earning Human Biology program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $61K earnings gap across 5 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of California-Los Angeles's Human Biology program leads with graduates earning $73,339, well above the $49,445 average. Stanford follows at $69,843, while USC rounds out the top three at $60,367—demonstrating that strong programs cluster in California but vary significantly in outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Stanford graduates borrow $12,000 and face just a 3.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, UCLA leads with an 11.9% family burden, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $73,339 | 128 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #2 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | $69,843 | 142 | $12,000 | Excellent | $38,333 | Manageable |
| #3 | $60,367 | 194 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $31,488 | 208 | $14,615 | Challenging | $24,883 | High | |
| #5 | $12,187 | 62 | $15,000 | High | $22,665 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
