Research and Experimental Psychology at University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,450/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (203,900 openings/yr)
ROI 7.5x earnings multiple (2.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #43 of 84 Research and Experimental Psychology programs

Program Analysis

At an institution like Berkeley, your psychology education is deeply rooted in cutting-edge research, attracting students primarily interested in academic or scientific pathways. The earning figures reflect that many graduates from this specialized program often pursue advanced degrees—Ph.D.s are common—before entering their highest-earning careers as psychologists, academics, or researchers. Your initial roles might involve research assistant positions or data analysis in labs, which serve as crucial stepping stones rather than terminal careers. The program's strength lies in its unparalleled opportunities for undergraduate research and connections to leading faculty, forming a robust pipeline into top graduate programs nationwide or roles at major research institutions. To maximize your outcome, actively engage in research projects and build strong relationships with professors to leverage these unique academic and professional networks.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Research and Experimental Psychology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $442K $446K $429K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.4x 7.5x 7.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.4x 2.4x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 48% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,400
Out-of-state: $182,508 (2.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,916
-1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,280
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings

About University of California-Berkeley

Only 12% of applicants gain admission to University of California-Berkeley, reflecting elite selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 33,073 students in Berkeley, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Research and Experimental Psychology at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Research and Experimental Psychology at University of California-Berkeley?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Research and Experimental Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Research and Experimental Psychology careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $428,796 in decade earnings vs $442,394 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →