University of California-Santa Cruz
CA · Public · 100% graduation rate
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 | C | BUY |
| Economics | $23K | $58K | $78K | C | BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $23K | $58K | $78K | C | BUY |
| Anthropology | $23K | $58K | $78K | C | BUY |
| Biology | $23K | $55K | $74K | C | BUY |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $23K | $55K | $74K | C | BUY |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $23K | $55K | $74K | C | BUY |
| Cognitive Science | $23K | $52K | $72K | C | BUY |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $23K | $50K | $68K | C | CAUTION |
| Psychology | $23K | $48K | $65K | C | CAUTION |
| History | $24K | $50K | $68K | C | CAUTION |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies | $23K | $48K | $65K | C | CAUTION |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $23K | $45K | $60K | C | CAUTION |
| Design and Applied Arts | $24K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $24K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
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.
Related Schools & Majors
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).