Research and Experimental Psychologyat University of California-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $27,748/yr in their first year — about 21.0% below the national Research and Experimental Psychology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $816K; scenarios range from $704K to $837K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UCLA
Your experience in Research and Experimental Psychology at UCLA immerses you in a program renowned for its rigorous scientific training and quantitative methods. The initial earnings trajectory often reflects the common path graduates take into further academic study, such as PhD programs, or entry-level research positions within universities, non-profits, or government agencies. While these roles are foundational for future specialization, they may not command the highest salaries right out of a bachelor's.
Many core tasks in experimental psychology, from data analysis to literature review, are also increasingly subject to AI augmentation, impacting the long-term career landscape. To truly thrive, lean into UCLA's strengths in advanced statistics and computational methods. Seek out opportunities to develop programming skills (like Python or R) and apply them in research internships within diverse fields like UX research in tech, market analysis, or health sciences in the expansive Los Angeles job market. This quantitative edge is your most powerful asset for a resilient and rewarding career.
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 Research and Experimental Psychology
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.
Frequently asked about Research and Experimental Psychology at UCLA
How does University of California-Los Angeles's Research and Experimental Psychology program score?
This program scores 50/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Research and Experimental Psychology graduates.
How vulnerable is Research and Experimental Psychology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Research and Experimental Psychology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of California-Los Angeles rank so high for Research and Experimental Psychology?
The #4 ranking out of 84 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Why are Research and Experimental Psychology earnings lower at University of California-Los Angeles?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Los Angeles may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.