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Research and Experimental Psychology at University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,830/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (203,900 openings/yr)
ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #18 of 84 Research and Experimental Psychology programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Research and Experimental Psychology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $645K $636K $570K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.3x 11.2x 10.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 48% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,948
Out-of-state: $180,056 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,360
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,639
110% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,830 per year, Research and Experimental Psychology graduates from University of California-Irvine earn below the $35,198 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Research and Experimental Psychology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Research and Experimental Psychology's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $13,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #18 of 84 nationally, this is a top-5% Research and Experimental Psychology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $62,639 show a 110% jump from the $29,830 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-Irvine

A 26% acceptance rate puts University of California-Irvine in competitive admissions territory, one of the larger campuses at 29,494 students in Irvine, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 84 schools offering Research and Experimental Psychology →

Research and Experimental Psychology at Other Schools

Tufts University ($56,504) Columbia University in the City of New York ($53,156) Johns Hopkins University ($49,035) Yale University ($47,874) Bates College ($47,376) Princeton University ($47,050) Amherst College ($45,786) University of Pennsylvania ($44,542)

Other Majors at University of California-Irvine

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($87,715) Computer Science ($82,161) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,412) Computer Engineering ($79,812) Civil Engineering ($73,835) Management Information Systems and Services ($68,786) Mechanical Engineering ($67,633) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($67,425)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Research and Experimental Psychology at University of California-Irvine?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Research and Experimental Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Research and Experimental Psychology careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $570,121 in decade earnings vs $645,209 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of California-Irvine's Research and Experimental Psychology program stand out?
Ranked #18 of 84 programs nationally, University of California-Irvine lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can you still earn well with Research and Experimental Psychology from University of California-Irvine?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →