Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of the Pacific vary significantly by field of study, with some programs achieving top national rankings while others serve different career pathways. The data below evaluates programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment using federal employment records rather than reputation or prestige measures.
Analyzing 19 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that demonstrate exceptional performance across earnings, national rankings, and enrollment scale.
#1 nationally
$166K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by median earnings, national and state rankings, debt levels, and cohort sizes to support informed program selection.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of The Pacific.
Engineering programs show mixed performance, with Mechanical Engineering achieving strong earnings of $80,947 despite modest national rankings, while Bioengineering faces challenges with lower earnings of $33,993. Computer Science delivers solid outcomes at $88,562, though ranking #165 nationally.
These programs serve students with specific technical interests, offering pathways to strong earnings in mechanical and software fields while requiring careful consideration in biomedical applications.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering, General.Small sample | — |
Programs at the same institution show different outcomes because career markets vary dramatically across fields, with some majors leading to higher-paying industries while others emphasize public service or require graduate study for full earning potential. Rankings reflect actual labor market results from federal employment data rather than reputation or prestige measures, explaining why a program might rank highly despite the institution's overall profile. Data comes from the Department of Education's College Scorecard, requiring minimum cohort sizes for privacy protection, so not all programs appear in public datasets. These outcomes represent graduates who entered the workforce or graduate study directly after completing their bachelor's degrees, measured at multiple time points to capture career progression over time.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| $120,601★ |
| — |
| 5 |
| Civil Engineering, General.Small sample | #19 | $92,409 | — | 14 |
| Engineering Design.Small sample | — | $89,114 | — | 9 |
| Computer Science. | #171 | $88,562 | $60,090 | 43 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #118 | $80,947 | — | 20 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. | #104 | $33,993 | — | 20 |
Business Administration represents the largest program on campus with 109 graduates earning $71,120, ranking #106 nationally but maintaining strong value scores. As University of the Pacific's flagship program by enrollment, it demonstrates consistent outcomes for students seeking traditional business careers.
The program provides solid earnings potential with manageable debt levels, appealing to students prioritizing career stability and broad professional preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #104 | $71,120 | $50,727 | 109 |
Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology excels with #14 national ranking and strong earnings of $64,107 from a focused cohort of 21 graduates. This specialized program demonstrates University of the Pacific's strength in health professions training, offering excellent career preparation for students committed to communication sciences and disorders.
The program's high rankings and solid outcomes make it ideal for students seeking specialized healthcare careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #16 | $64,107 | — | 21 |
Biology programs excel with strong national rankings and solid earnings outcomes. Biology, General ranks #8 nationally and #3 in California, producing graduates earning $75,402, while Biochemistry and Molecular Biology achieves #33 nationally with $59,817 earnings.
These programs combine University of the Pacific's research strengths with strong career preparation, making them well-suited for students pursuing medical school, graduate study, or biotechnology careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | #9 | $75,402★ | $81,821 | 99 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | #33 | $59,817 | — | 20 |
Programs in this category show dramatic variation in outcomes. Psychology, General achieves #5 national ranking with $57,652 earnings despite typical psychology salary levels, while Applied/Public Sociology struggles with $25,194 earnings.
Psychology's exceptional ranking demonstrates University of the Pacific's strength in undergraduate psychology preparation, while sociology outcomes suggest challenges in this particular specialization that students should carefully consider.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | #5 | $57,652★ | $67,288 | 42 |
| Applied Economics.Small sample | #215 | $44,356 | — | 10 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #279 | $25,194 | — | 22 |
Communication and Media Studies, Other. leads communications with 51K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other.Small sample | #100 | $50,988 | — | 12 |
Catalan Language and Literature. leads humanities & arts with 55K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalan Language and Literature.Small sample | — | $55,111★ | — | 5 |
| English Language and Literature, General.Small sample | #58 | $53,852 | — | 14 |
Adult and Continuing Education achieves strong performance with #27 national ranking and $54,497 earnings, reflecting University of the Pacific's commitment to educator preparation. With small cohorts of 23 graduates, this specialized program serves students pursuing careers in adult learning and professional development.
The program's solid rankings and manageable earnings make it suitable for students committed to educational careers beyond traditional K-12 teaching.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #24 | $54,497 | — | 23 |
This category features University of the Pacific's standout program in Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, which ranks #1 nationally and delivers the highest earnings on campus at $165,593. Exercise Science provides a different pathway with moderate earnings of $51,888 but solid value metrics.
These programs serve students seeking either exceptional financial outcomes or career preparation in health and wellness fields, demonstrating the university's ability to excel in specialized interdisciplinary approaches.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #1 🏆 | $165,593★ | $52,260 | 83 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #60 | $51,888 | — | 63 |
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.
