Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at UC Santa Cruz vary significantly by field of study, with Computer Science and business programs leading earnings while arts and humanities programs offer different career trajectories. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or selectivity.
Analyzing 35 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that excel across multiple dimensions including earnings potential, national rankings, and student enrollment patterns.
#13 nationally
$61K median earnings
Computer Science leads earnings at $101,953 with substantial enrollment, followed by Computer Support Specialist at $86,880 and Business/Managerial Economics at $78,567. Applied Economics and Mathematics programs also exceed $70,000 in median earnings. The earnings hierarchy reflects California's technology economy and business sector opportunities, with STEM and business programs commanding premium starting salaries for graduates.
Several UC Santa Cruz programs achieve top national rankings, with Anatomy ranking #1 nationally and Computer Support Specialist ranking #3 nationally. Business/Managerial Economics ranks #4 nationally and #1 in California, while African-American/Black Studies and Legal Studies each rank #7 nationally. These rankings reflect strong program quality and graduate outcomes across diverse academic fields, from specialized sciences to professional preparation programs.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, debt levels, and enrollment size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of California-Santa Cruz.
Computer Science leads this cluster with exceptional outcomes, ranking #31 nationally and producing the university's highest median earnings at $101,953 with substantial enrollment of 667 graduates. Computer Support Specialist ranks #3 nationally with strong earnings of $86,880 and excellent value scores.
These programs demonstrate UC Santa Cruz's strength in technology education, delivering outcomes that position graduates competitively in California's tech economy.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering, General. | #13 |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation earnings outcomes based on federal College Scorecard data, which tracks graduates 10 years after enrollment. Rankings compare programs to similar majors at other institutions nationally, focusing on economic outcomes rather than academic reputation or selectivity. Earnings vary by program due to different industry patterns, regional job markets, and career trajectory differences. Some programs like those in arts or sciences may prepare students for graduate school or careers where initial earnings don't reflect long-term professional potential. Debt levels reflect borrowing patterns specific to each program's student population and typical degree requirements. Cohort sizes indicate program scale and data reliability, with larger cohorts providing more stable outcome estimates. Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion rates into composite measures of program effectiveness.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
Anatomy achieves a perfect value score of 100.0 while ranking #1 nationally, combining strong earnings with manageable debt. Business/Managerial Economics scores 93.9 for value with #4 national ranking, and Computer Support Specialist scores 92.3 with #3 national ranking. These programs demonstrate optimal combinations of earnings potential, debt control, and completion rates that maximize return on educational investment.
Computer Science and Business programs achieve Excellent affordability ratings with payments under 8% of discretionary income, while Biological Sciences also rate as Excellent. Psychology and Social Sciences rate as Good with payments of 8-12% of discretionary income. Visual & Performing Arts and Foreign Languages rate as Challenging, with longer payoff timelines reflecting lower initial earnings typical of these fields.
| — |
| 85 |
| Computer Science. | #30 | $101,953 | $32,503 | 667 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #22 | $99,815 | — | 58 |
| Computer Support Specialist. | #4 | $86,880 | $14,531 | 143 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. | #34 | $83,334 | $47,809 | 72 |
Business programs excel both nationally and in-state, with Business/Managerial Economics ranking #4 nationally and #1 in California while producing earnings of $78,567. Applied Economics ranks #69 nationally with earnings of $73,904 but higher debt levels.
These programs combine strong career outcomes with substantial enrollments, making them flagship offerings for students seeking business careers with solid return on investment.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Managerial Economics. | #4 | $78,567 | $16,153 | 308 |
Science programs show remarkable diversity in outcomes, led by Anatomy ranking #1 nationally with a perfect value score of 100.0 and earnings of $60,883. Mathematics programs like Algebra and Number Theory rank #19 nationally with earnings of $71,946.
Biology programs deliver moderate earnings around $52,707, reflecting pre-health pathways. This group spans high-earning specialized fields to broader science preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #19 | $71,946★ | $23,541 | 115 |
| Anatomy. | #2 | $60,883 | $24,634 | 341 |
| Geochemistry and Petrology. | #10 | $56,645 | $25,893 | 66 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | #37 | $56,377 | — | 59 |
| Biology, General. | #96 | $52,707 | $25,600 | 207 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #77 | $52,368 | — | 62 |
| Neuroanatomy. | #40 | $48,249 | — | 64 |
| Acoustics. | #67 | $37,859 | — | 43 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other. | #5 | $35,171 | — | 28 |
| Aquatic Biology/Limnology. | #24 | $35,013 | $52,537 | 160 |
Social science programs demonstrate strong value despite moderate earnings, with Applied/Public Sociology ranking #22 nationally and earning $47,904 with a value score of 91.4. Psychology ranks #43 nationally as one of the largest programs with 514 graduates.
American Government and Politics shows solid earnings of $53,304, reflecting pathways into public service and graduate study.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #67 | $73,904★ | $44,733 | 165 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #108 | $53,304 | $27,000 | 163 |
| Psychology, General. | #43 | $48,247 | — | 514 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #25 | $47,904 | $14,415 | 251 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy. | #3 | $45,701 | — | 57 |
| Anthropology, General. | #26 | $40,257 | $24,061 | 140 |
Arts and humanities programs reflect different career trajectories, with Applied Linguistics ranking #15 nationally despite moderate earnings of $38,878. Cinematography produces earnings of $34,586 with substantial enrollment, while Art History shows lower earnings at $33,474.
These programs often prepare students for graduate study or creative careers where immediate earnings may not reflect long-term professional development.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American History (United States). | #100 | $40,464★ | $18,119 | 127 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics. | #38 | $39,427 | — | 54 |
| Applied Linguistics. | #19 | $38,878 | $25,481 | 233 |
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production. | #33 | $34,586 | $37,813 | 211 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #117 | $33,474 | $31,510 | 153 |
| Acting. | #60 | $30,020 | — | 36 |
| Brass Instruments.Small sample | #153 | $26,353 | — | 14 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #174 | $20,140 | — | 27 |
Environmental Science ranks #20 nationally with earnings of $49,828 and substantial enrollment of 246 graduates, reflecting UC Santa Cruz's strength in sustainability studies. The program demonstrates solid value with manageable debt levels.
Aquatic Biology shows specialized focus with #22 national ranking but higher debt relative to earnings, typical for research-oriented fields requiring advanced study.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science. | #20 | $49,828★ | $30,033 | 246 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding.Small sample | #42 | $26,353 | — | 13 |
Interdisciplinary programs include African-American/Black Studies ranking #7 nationally with earnings of $49,977 and strong value scores, and Legal Studies ranking #7 nationally with earnings of $49,862. Cognitive Science ranks #8 nationally with earnings of $59,051.
These programs demonstrate UC Santa Cruz's breadth in specialized and emerging fields that combine multiple academic disciplines.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Science, General. | #8 | $59,051★ | $41,443 | 143 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #6 | $49,977 | $33,369 | 165 |
| Legal Studies. | #9 | $49,862 | $26,981 | 155 |
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.
