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Biology at University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,242/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #207 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $781K $762K $673K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.2x 13.9x 12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.3x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,988
Out-of-state: $178,096 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,052
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,527
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,609
168% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Los Angeles's Biology program produces graduates earning $28,242/yr — within striking distance of the $32,219 national average for this field.

The 13.9x 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 — 40% task exposure — and the 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $15,527 debt-to-$28,242 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #207 out of 822 programs, University of California-Los Angeles's Biology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $28,242 to $75,609 over five years (168% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Los Angeles

Only 9% of applicants gain admission to University of California-Los Angeles, reflecting elite selectivity, serving a student body of 33,040 in Los Angeles, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 822 schools offering Biology →

Biology at Other Schools

University of San Diego ($54,223) Trinity College ($52,179) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($51,711) Edgewood College ($51,134) Shepherd University ($49,165) Roger Williams University ($47,799) Barnard College ($47,329) Curry College ($46,736)

Other Majors at University of California-Los Angeles

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($136,099) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($94,611) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,369) Business/Managerial Economics ($83,604) Mechanical Engineering ($79,016) Chemical Engineering ($76,680) Civil Engineering ($75,510) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($71,068)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Los Angeles's Biology program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 40% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-Los Angeles rank so high for Biology?
The #207 ranking out of 822 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 →