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Behavioral Sciences at University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,709/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (36% exposed)

Job Market Large (48,400 openings/yr)

ROI 7.1x earnings multiple (2.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #15 of 18 Behavioral Sciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$408K	$414K	$402K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	7.0x	7.1x	6.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.3x	2.3x	2.2x
Probability of Field Employment	52%	48%	39%
DegreeOutlook Score	25	24	27

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 (2.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$66,428

-14% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,000

7.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,709/yr fall 17% below the $34,439 national median for Behavioral Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

At 7.1x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $17,000 debt-to-$28,709 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #15 out of 18 programs, University of California-Santa Cruz's financial outcomes for Behavioral Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of California-Santa Cruz

With a 63% acceptance rate, University of California-Santa Cruz is moderately selective, 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

Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr

Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr

Life scientists, all other $87,800/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Behavioral Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-Santa Cruz

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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-Santa Cruz's Behavioral Sciences program score?

This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Behavioral Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Behavioral Sciences to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Behavioral Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 36% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Behavioral Sciences earnings lower at University of California-Santa Cruz?

Lower starting pay at University of California-Santa Cruz may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →