University of California-Santa Cruz

What are the graduation rates for students at University of California-Santa Cruz?

University of California-Santa Cruz demonstrates strong graduation outcomes, with an overall graduation rate of 74%, placing the institution in the top 20% nationally. This positive trend extends across gender, as men graduate at a rate of 71%, and women at a notably higher rate of 78%, both also ranking in the top 20%. The four-year graduation rate stands at 61%, which is considered high and similarly positions the university among the leading institutions in this measure.

Retention, a critical factor influencing graduation success, is notably high at 90%, ranking the university in the top 15% nationwide. This suggests that once students enroll, a substantial majority continue their studies beyond their first year, reinforcing the likelihood of degree completion.

Six-year graduation rates align with overall outcomes, with 74% of students completing their degrees within this timeframe, again ranking University of California-Santa Cruz in the upper echelon of institutions.

What is the earning potential for graduates at University of California-Santa Cruz?

Graduates from University of California-Santa Cruz experience a wide spectrum of earning potentials depending on their chosen field of study. Those who pursue degrees in engineering and computer science generally report higher incomes. For instance, graduates with a degree in computer engineering earn approximately $75,207, while those with a background in computer science have average earnings around $63,040. Electrical, electronics, and communications engineering graduates also fare well, with earnings near $66,378.

In related technical fields, biomedical or medical engineering graduates make about $53,515, and those specializing in computer/information technology administration and management earn around $54,725. These figures suggest a strong return for students entering engineering and computer-related disciplines.

On the science side, fields like biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology offer graduates average earnings of $38,972, while those studying chemistry earn about $38,243. Geological and earth sciences graduates can expect roughly $36,107, and physics graduates earn close to $36,552. Students in these areas can anticipate moderate earning potential relative to the engineering fields.

Degrees in economics and business-related areas are also notable, with business/managerial economics graduates earning approximately $46,826 and economics graduates around $41,483. These figures highlight the appeal of social science and business programs for students interested in lucrative opportunities outside hard sciences.

Social sciences and humanities graduates typically earn less. For example, political science and government majors earn approximately $29,390, community organization and advocacy around $29,789, and ethnic, cultural minority, gender, and group studies about $29,282. Psychology graduates report earnings near $27,446, while sociology graduates earn roughly $27,765. These reflect generally lower but still respectable salaries compared to STEM fields.

Graduates in biological sciences earn various salaries; general biology majors make about $29,134, cell and anatomical sciences graduates earn approximately $34,270, and neurobiology and neuroscience majors earn around $23,543. Such variation indicates that biological disciplines provide moderate earning potential, depending on specialization.

Language and interdisciplinary studies provide relatively modest returns. Romance languages graduates earn near $29,436, linguistic and related language studies around $23,717, while philosophy majors report $28,735. Mathematics graduates make approximately $30,252, and cognitive science graduates earn around $33,286, showing that some interdisciplinary programs can yield competitive earnings.

Creative arts degrees typically have lower average earnings. For example, design and applied arts graduates earn about $31,645, film/video and photographic arts graduates around $24,155, drama/theatre arts and stagecraft about $20,333, and fine and studio arts approximately $23,275. These figures suggest that earnings in artistic fields tend to be more modest in comparison to technical and business disciplines.

Among social sciences, anthropology majors earn roughly $27,008, and history graduates receive around $24,560. Non-professional legal studies graduates report earnings near $36,945, which indicates some variation even within the social science spectrum.