Biotechnology at University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $59,156/yr (23% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Medium (18,700 openings/yr)
ROI 12.4x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 18 Biotechnology programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $784K $755K $657K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.9x 12.4x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.1x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$60,988
Out-of-state: $184,096 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,152
-0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,843
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$93,489
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $59,156 at University of California-Davis come in 23% above the national median of $48,121 for Biotechnology programs.

The 12.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $59,156 far exceeding the $12,843 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #3 out of 18 programs, University of California-Davis's Biotechnology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $59,156 to $93,489 over five years (58% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Davis

A 42% admission rate makes University of California-Davis accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 31,777 students in Davis, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
Biological science teachers, postsecondary $83,460/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biotechnology at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-Davis

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Davis's Biotechnology program score?
This program scores 61/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biotechnology graduates.
How vulnerable is Biotechnology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biotechnology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-Davis rank so high for Biotechnology?
The #3 ranking out of 18 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →