Home › University of California-Santa Barbara › Cell Biology

Cell Biology at University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,333/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Large (70,200 openings/yr)
ROI 9.2x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #26 of 39 Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $556K $553K $506K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.3x 9.2x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.0x 3.0x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 46% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,860
Out-of-state: $182,968 (3.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,300
8% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,001
49% growth from Year 1

About University of California-Santa Barbara

Admission to University of California-Santa Barbara is competitive, with 28% of applicants accepted, serving a student body of 23,205 in Santa Barbara, CA.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Biochemists and biophysicists $103,650/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 39 schools offering Cell Biology →

Cell Biology at Other Schools

Northeastern University ($65,551) Parker University ($53,632) Harvard University ($51,569) California State University-San Marcos ($49,734) California State University-Northridge ($47,315) University of Rhode Island ($46,814) University of California-Santa Cruz ($45,088) University of Minnesota-Duluth ($44,501)

Other Majors at University of California-Santa Barbara

Computer Science ($107,776) Computer Engineering ($91,387) Mechanical Engineering ($81,108) Chemical Engineering ($79,737) Economics ($66,334) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($66,099) Applied Mathematics ($59,638) Statistics ($55,110)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 42/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Cell Biology at University of California-Santa Barbara?
At 42/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Cell Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Cell Biology at University of California-Santa Barbara?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →