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Bioinformatics at University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
78 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
78
Optimistic
78
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,592/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (60% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (129,500 openings/yr)
ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 4 Biomathematics & Bioinformatics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,092K $1,041K $812K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.9x 17.1x 13.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.7x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 78 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,060
Out-of-state: $184,168 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,000
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$138,331
81% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-San Diego's Bioinformatics graduates start at $76,592/yr — above the $63,618 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 17.1x 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 — 60% task exposure — and the 26% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,000 in median debt clears quickly against $76,592 in annual earnings.

With only 4 programs offering Bioinformatics nationally, this is a niche field. University of California-San Diego ranks #1 among them.

Earnings growth from $76,592 to $138,331 over five years (81% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-San Diego

Admission to University of California-San Diego is competitive, with 25% of applicants accepted, serving a student body of 33,787 in La Jolla, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 4 schools offering Bioinformatics →

Bioinformatics at Other Schools

Cornell University ($78,358) Brigham Young University ($68,084) CUNY New York City College of Technology ($31,441)

Other Majors at University of California-San Diego

Computer Science ($112,006) Computer Engineering ($96,256) Mathematics and Computer Science ($89,651) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,687) Mechanical Engineering ($69,555) Biological/Biosystems Engineering ($67,016) Civil Engineering ($65,478) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($65,401)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-San Diego's Bioinformatics program score?
A score of 78/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of California-San Diego's Bioinformatics graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Bioinformatics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Bioinformatics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 60% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-San Diego rank so high for Bioinformatics?
The #1 ranking out of 4 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 →