University of California-Santa Cruz
Ca · Public · 100% graduation rate
University of California-Santa Cruz is a public university in Ca with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Computer Science (grade A), with median debt of $19K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $19K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Computer Engineering | $19K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $23K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Legal Professions and Studies | $23K | $55K | $77K | B | BUY |
| Sociology | $23K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $23K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Economics | $23K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Anthropology | $23K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $23K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Cognitive Science | $23K | $52K | $72K | B | BUY |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $23K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $23K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Psychology | $23K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| History | $24K | $50K | $68K | B | BUY |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $23K | $50K | $68K | B | BUY |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies | $23K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $24K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Design and Applied Arts | $24K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $23K | $45K | $60K | C | BUY |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Ca
How University of California-Santa Cruz Compares
University of California-Santa Cruz graduates carry a median debt of $22K across tracked majors, which is $3K less than the public universities average of $26K. Year-1 earnings average $56K, about $2K below peers of the same type. Within Ca, the per-major debt average is $26K, so this school sits $4K below the state median. Its composite ROI score of 72 is 0 points above the public universities baseline (72). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at University of California-Santa Cruz earns a grade of A, with median debt of $19K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
University of California-Santa Cruz has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at University of California-Santa Cruz. For example, Computer Science graduates have median debt of $19K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Computer Science with median year-5 earnings of $147K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).