Biologyat University of California-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $28,242/yr in their first year — about 12.0% below the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $762K; scenarios range from $673K to $781K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UCLA
A UCLA Biology degree provides an exceptional academic foundation, often attracting students with ambitions in medicine or advanced research. You'll benefit from access to world-class faculty and cutting-edge labs, placing you in a strong position for graduate studies or roles in academic institutions and biotech firms across Southern California. Many graduates initially pursue research assistant positions or clinical support roles, which, while valuable experience, often have more modest starting salaries as you build specialized skills or prepare for medical school. This general biology track also means many entry-level tasks, particularly data processing and routine lab work, are increasingly susceptible to automation. To maximize your financial trajectory, consider specializing early in areas like bioinformatics, genomics, or pharmacology, and actively pursue internships with industry partners to build a competitive skillset.
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 UCLA'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 Biology
How UCLA stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UCLA
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UCLA, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Biology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Biology at UCLA
How does University of California-Los Angeles's Biology program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 40% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-Los Angeles rank so high for Biology?
The #207 ranking out of 822 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.