Biology at University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,242/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #207 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

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.

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $781K $762K $673K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.2x 13.9x 12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.3x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,988
Out-of-state: $178,096 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,052
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,527
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,609
168% growth from Year 1

About University of California-Los Angeles

Only 9% of applicants gain admission to University of California-Los Angeles, reflecting elite selectivity, serving a student body of 33,040 in Los Angeles, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biology at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →