Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of California-Irvine vary significantly by field of study. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment—not prestige or reputation.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market.
Analyzing 50 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size.
#23 nationally
$52K median earnings
Computer Science leads UC Irvine's programs with $111,041 median earnings, followed by Computer Engineering at $100,156. Mechanical Engineering produces graduates earning $83,948, while Bioengineering graduates earn $82,806. Business Administration generates $70,854 in median earnings, with Algebra and Number Theory at $70,461. These high-earning programs cluster in engineering, technology, and business fields that command premium salaries in competitive job markets.
UC Irvine demonstrates exceptional program strength through top national rankings across diverse fields. Education, General claims #1 nationally, while Criminology ranks #2 nationally. Analytical Chemistry ranks #3 nationally, and International/Globalization Studies ranks #4 nationally. Behavioral Aspects of Health ranks #5 nationally, and Behavioral Neuroscience ranks #7 nationally. Business/Managerial Economics also ranks #7 nationally. These rankings span education, social sciences, physical sciences, health, and business, demonstrating UC Irvine's comprehensive academic excellence rather than narrow specialization.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of California-Irvine.
Engineering & Technology programs at UC Irvine deliver exceptional earnings outcomes and strong national recognition. Computer Science leads with $111,041 median earnings and ranks #23 nationally, serving as the university's largest program.
Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering both produce graduates earning above $80,000 annually with excellent value scores. These programs combine rigorous technical training with strong industry connections, positioning graduates for high-demand technology careers.
Students pursuing engineering can expect competitive starting salaries and robust career advancement potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rankings reflect post-graduation outcomes using federal College Scorecard data, not institutional reputation or faculty quality. Programs at the same university show different earnings because career markets vary significantly by field—engineering and computer science typically command higher starting salaries than education or social sciences. Debt levels may differ based on program length, required internships, or equipment costs. Cohort sizes indicate student demand and program capacity. These data represent students who borrowed federal loans and remained in the workforce rather than continuing to graduate school, so outcomes may underrepresent fields where graduate study is common. Rankings compare programs nationally within each major, providing context for how UC Irvine performs against other institutions offering similar degrees.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
Value scores measure program quality relative to cost and debt burden. Several UC Irvine programs achieve exceptional value scores, including Education, General with a perfect 100.0 score, Analytical Chemistry at 98.7, Criminology at 98.0, and Behavioral Aspects of Health at 96.3. International/Globalization Studies scores 94.3, reflecting strong outcomes relative to educational investment. These high value scores indicate programs that deliver strong career preparation without excessive debt accumulation.
Loan affordability analysis shows excellent repayment prospects across UC Irvine programs. Computer Science graduates enjoy excellent affordability with payments under 8% of discretionary income. Engineering fields maintain excellent-to-good affordability ratings with standard 10-year payoff timelines. Even lower-earning programs like Biology achieve good affordability ratings due to UC Irvine's controlled debt levels. No programs show negative amortization risks, indicating sustainable borrowing across all fields of study.
| #23 |
| $111,041★ |
| $18,090 |
| 805 |
| Computer Engineering, General. | #15 | $100,156 | $20,204 | 288 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #32 | $94,445 | $13,834 | 103 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #28 | $93,730 | — | 100 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General. | #15 | $88,082 | $45,384 | 79 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #10 | $86,209 | $15,120 | 93 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #28 | $83,948 | $30,666 | 263 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. | #17 | $82,806 | $27,108 | 120 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #69 | $82,714 | — | 68 |
| Materials Engineering. | #32 | $58,177 | — | 30 |
Business & Economics programs demonstrate strong market outcomes with impressive national rankings. Business/Managerial Economics ranks #7 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 696 students with median earnings of $66,614.
Applied Economics ranks #42 nationally with graduates earning $63,977. Business Administration produces the highest earnings in this group at $70,854, though with higher debt levels.
These programs prepare students for diverse career paths in finance, consulting, and management with solid earning potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Resources Management. | #4 | $100,891★ | — | 44 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #55 | $70,854 | $30,707 | 306 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | #7 | $66,614 | $23,348 | 696 |
Health programs at UC Irvine demonstrate exceptional national recognition and competitive outcomes. Behavioral Aspects of Health ranks #5 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 501 students with median earnings of $53,761 and an outstanding value score of 96.3.
This program exemplifies UC Irvine's strength in health-related fields that prepare students for diverse healthcare careers. The strong national ranking indicates program quality that supports both immediate workforce entry and preparation for advanced health professional training.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #34 | $102,995★ | — | 47 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #6 | $53,761 | $19,506 | 501 |
| Clinical and Industrial Drug Development. | #5 | $50,557 | $19,699 | 119 |
Sciences & Mathematics programs show varied outcomes reflecting different career trajectories and post-graduation pathways. Biology represents the university's second-largest program with 770 graduates, though earnings of $48,182 reflect the field's emphasis on graduate school preparation.
Algebra and Number Theory produces notably higher earnings at $70,461, ranking #27 nationally. Analytical Chemistry ranks #3 nationally with strong earning potential at $65,713.
These programs serve students planning research careers, graduate study, or direct workforce entry.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #29 | $70,461★ | $20,340 | 289 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #4 | $65,713 | $21,582 | 148 |
| Geochemistry and Petrology. | #11 | $57,317 | — | 52 |
| Biology, General. | #61 | $48,182 | $20,000 | 770 |
| Acoustics. | #56 | $43,144 | — | 55 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.Small sample | #83 | $42,200 | — | 17 |
| Neuroanatomy. | #63 | $24,035 | — | 51 |
Social Sciences & Policy programs excel in national rankings while producing graduates prepared for diverse career paths. Behavioral Neuroscience ranks #7 nationally, graduating 698 students with earnings of $50,813.
Criminology ranks #2 nationally and #1 in California with 429 graduates earning $50,638. American Government and Politics ranks #56 nationally but serves 307 students with earnings of $55,323.
Psychology programs serve substantial student populations with outcomes reflecting the field's emphasis on graduate study and diverse career applications.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #42 | $63,977★ | $15,538 | 441 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #55 | $55,323 | $19,189 | 307 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs. | #10 | $51,127 | — | 57 |
| Behavioral Neuroscience. | #7 | $50,813 | $17,042 | 698 |
| Criminology. | #3 | $50,638 | $18,574 | 429 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #34 | $48,998 | $19,489 | 238 |
| Psychology, General. | #59 | $45,212 | $17,546 | 306 |
| Anthropology, General. | #17 | $44,884 | $17,130 | 77 |
| Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods. | #25 | $44,687 | — | 29 |
Broadcast Journalism. leads communications with 49K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Journalism. | #42 | $48,898 | — | 36 |
Humanities & Arts graduates earn 40K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American History (United States). | #15 | $57,191★ | $20,498 | 73 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics. | #13 | $52,707 | — | 42 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #33 | $45,524 | $22,009 | 122 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #80 | $44,184 | — | 27 |
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production. | #9 | $40,166 | $15,452 | 125 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #55 | $36,977 | $12,000 | 107 |
| Chinese Language and Literature.Small sample | — | $32,925 | — | 7 |
| Acting. | #64 | $25,680 | $23,841 | 85 |
| Ballet. | #22 | $22,738 | — | 40 |
Education programs at UC Irvine achieve exceptional national recognition with outstanding value delivery. Education, General ranks #1 nationally, graduating 367 students with median earnings of $52,320 and a perfect value score of 100.0.
This top national ranking demonstrates UC Irvine's excellence in teacher preparation and educational leadership training. The program combines strong academic preparation with practical experience, positioning graduates for impactful careers in K-12 education and educational administration with competitive compensation and job security.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #29 | $56,003★ | — | 21 |
| Education, General. | #1 🏆 | $52,320 | $17,065 | 367 |
Environmental Science. leads agriculture & environment with 51K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science. | #36 | $50,846 | — | 44 |
Other & Interdisciplinary graduates earn 39K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International/Globalization Studies. | #4 | $57,030★ | $17,710 | 194 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #19 | $51,708 | $32,560 | 71 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #31 | $43,896 | — | 43 |
| African Studies.Small sample | #58 | $30,897 | — | 19 |
| Human Biology. | #11 | $12,187 | — | 62 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
