Geneticsat University of California-Davis
Graduates earn $41,334/yr in their first year — about 25.0% above the national Genetics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $708K; scenarios range from $620K to $728K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Davis
Your strong earnings potential from a UC Davis Genetics degree reflects the university's deep-rooted excellence in life sciences, particularly its leadership in agricultural and environmental biotechnology. This reputation, coupled with its Northern California location, places you squarely in a talent pipeline for major biotech firms like Genentech, Bayer Crop Science, and numerous startups across the Bay Area and Sacramento region, as well as leading academic research institutions. The niche nature of genetics ensures a specialized demand for your skills in R&D, lab management, and genetic counseling.
While AI risk is high, this primarily signals a shift towards higher-level analytical and interpretive roles rather than job displacement. Focus on developing strong bioinformatics skills, experimental design, and interdisciplinary collaboration to complement automated tasks. Secure internships early on to translate your rigorous academic training into practical industry experience, making you an indispensable asset.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Davis's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Genetics
How UC Davis stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Davis
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Davis, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Genetics at UC Davis
How does University of California-Davis's Genetics program score?
This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Genetics graduates.
How vulnerable is Genetics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Genetics 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 Genetics?
The #2 ranking out of 11 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.