Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,538/yr (-61% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (342,100 openings/yr)
ROI 24.3x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 of 13 Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences programs

Program Analysis

Your path through UCI's Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration program positions you squarely within Southern California's dynamic biotech and pharmaceutical ecosystem. The initial earnings figures reflect that many graduates pursue roles in early-stage research and development, clinical trials, or regulatory affairs within companies like Edwards Lifesciences or Allergan, rather than directly entering patient-facing pharmacy practice. These foundational roles, while critical, typically have a different salary trajectory than a licensed pharmacist's starting pay. UCI's strong research focus and reputation mean you'll develop robust scientific skills, preparing you for advanced degrees or specialized roles in drug discovery, formulation, or quality control. However, with increasing automation in many routine scientific and administrative tasks, building strong critical thinking, data analysis, and interpersonal skills will be paramount. Leverage UCI's network for internships in R&D or pharmaceutical sales to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands, ensuring you develop competencies that complement, rather than compete with, emerging AI technologies.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,448K $1,382K $1,119K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 25.4x 24.3x 19.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 7.7x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 69% 64% 47%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,948
Out-of-state: $180,056 (7.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,360
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,279
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$92,028
348% growth from Year 1

About University of California-Irvine

A 26% acceptance rate puts University of California-Irvine in competitive admissions territory, with 29,494 students enrolled in Irvine, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Marketing managers $161,030/yr
Sales managers $138,060/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of California-Irvine?
This program scores 55/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $1,118,658 in decade earnings vs $1,448,025 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences from University of California-Irvine?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →