Management Scienceat University of California-Santa Barbara
Graduates earn $66,099/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Management Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $883K; scenarios range from $726K to $912K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Santa Barbara
At $66,099 per year, Management Science graduates from University of California-Santa Barbara earn slightly above the $62,729 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Management Science programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Management Science's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 20% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $11,128 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #16 of 118 nationally, this is a top-5% Management Science program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $66,099 to $98,845 over five years — a 50% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 UC Santa Barbara'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 Management Science
How UC Santa Barbara stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Santa Barbara
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Santa Barbara, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Management Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Management Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Management Science at UC Santa Barbara
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Management Science at University of California-Santa Barbara?
This program scores 84/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Management Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Management Science careers?
With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $725,758 in decade earnings vs $911,537 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of California-Santa Barbara's Management Science program stand out?
Ranked #16 of 118 programs nationally, University of California-Santa Barbara lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.