Home › University of California-Santa Cruz › Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy and Astrophysics at University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
28
Optimistic
28
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,171/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (52% exposed)
Job Market Medium (12,600 openings/yr)
ROI 7.5x earnings multiple (2.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 6 Astronomy and Astrophysics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $430K $437K $428K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.4x 7.5x 7.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.4x 2.4x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 28 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,240
Out-of-state: $181,348 (2.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$66,428
-14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,400
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

University of California-Santa Cruz's Astronomy and Astrophysics program produces graduates earning $35,171/yr — within striking distance of the $40,590 national average for this field.

At 7.5x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 52% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,400 debt-to-$35,171 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

With only 6 programs offering Astronomy and Astrophysics nationally, this is a niche field. University of California-Santa Cruz ranks #4 among them.

About University of California-Santa Cruz

University of California-Santa Cruz's 63% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 17,812 in Santa Cruz, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Physicists $166,290/yr
Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Astronomers $132,170/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 6 schools offering Astronomy and Astrophysics →

Astronomy and Astrophysics at Other Schools

University of California-Berkeley ($54,746) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($45,783) University of Colorado Boulder ($45,066) Michigan State University ($33,373) The University of Texas at Austin ($29,404)

Other Majors at University of California-Santa Cruz

Computer Engineering ($79,969) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,842) Computer Science ($75,150) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($55,856) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($55,773) Business/Managerial Economics ($52,029) Economics ($50,518) Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences ($45,088)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Santa Cruz's Astronomy and Astrophysics program score?
This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Astronomy and Astrophysics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Astronomy and Astrophysics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Astronomy and Astrophysics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 52% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →