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Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology at University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,100/yr (29% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Large (45,200 openings/yr)
ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 136 Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $831K $803K $698K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.9x 13.4x 11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.4x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 58% 53% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,860
Out-of-state: $182,968 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,300
8% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,750
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$90,796
85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $49,100 put University of California-Santa Barbara's Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology program 29% above the national median of $37,918 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 13.4x 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 — 45% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $49,100 far exceeding the $11,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #3 out of 136 programs, University of California-Santa Barbara's Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $49,100 to $90,796 over five years (85% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Santa Barbara

University of California-Santa Barbara accepts 28% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, serving a student body of 23,205 in Santa Barbara, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Biochemists and biophysicists $103,650/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 136 schools offering Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology →

Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Other Schools

Northeastern University ($63,781) California State University-San Marcos ($57,682) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($57,538) MCPHS University ($51,942) University of Colorado Boulder ($50,474) California State University-Los Angeles ($50,428) University of Massachusetts-Boston ($50,352) University of Missouri-St Louis ($49,509)

Compare Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology

University of California-Santa Barbara vs Northeastern University → University of California-Santa Barbara vs California State University-San Marcos → University of California-Santa Barbara vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo → University of California-Santa Barbara vs University of Colorado Boulder → University of California-Santa Barbara vs California State University-Los Angeles → University of California-Santa Barbara vs University of Massachusetts-Boston →

Other Majors at University of California-Santa Barbara

Computer Science ($107,776) Computer Engineering ($91,387) Mechanical Engineering ($81,108) Chemical Engineering ($79,737) Economics ($66,334) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($66,099) Applied Mathematics ($59,638) Statistics ($55,110)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Santa Barbara's Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology program score?
This program scores 60/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology graduates.
How vulnerable is Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-Santa Barbara rank so high for Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology?
The #3 ranking out of 136 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 →