Genetics at University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
51
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,334/yr (25% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (37,700 openings/yr)
ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 11 Genetics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Genetics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $728K $708K $620K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.9x 11.6x 10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 3.8x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 51 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$60,988
Out-of-state: $184,096 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,152
-0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,848
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,152
89% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Davis's Genetics graduates start at $41,334/yr — above the $33,150 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 11.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,848 in median debt clears quickly against $41,334 in annual earnings.

Ranked #2 out of 11 programs, University of California-Davis's Genetics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $41,334 to $78,152 over five years (89% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Davis

University of California-Davis's 42% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 31,777 in Davis, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Davis →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Genetic counselors $98,910/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Genetics at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-Davis

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Davis's Genetics program score?
This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Genetics graduates.
How vulnerable is Genetics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Genetics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-Davis rank so high for Genetics?
The #2 ranking out of 11 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →