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Biological Sciences · Pharmacology & Toxicology Rank #1 of 5

Pharmacology & Toxicologyat University of California-Santa Barbara

Graduates earn $39,421/yr in their first year — about 11.0% above the national Pharmacology & Toxicology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $914K; scenarios range from $771K to $942K depending on AI disruption.

Santa Barbara, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
58 SOLID
59
Optimistic
56
Pessimistic
Earnings
$39,421
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$914K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at UC Santa Barbara

This highly specialized Pharmacology and Toxicology program at UCSB stands out nationally due to its rarity and rigor. The strong financial outcomes reflect not just the demanding scientific curriculum but also its prime location in Southern California, a significant hub for pharmaceutical, biotech, and life science companies. UCSB's reputation as a top-tier public research university fosters robust recruiting pipelines, connecting graduates with R&D departments in both established firms and innovative startups, as well as opportunities in regulatory science or academic research.

While the data highlights a high AI risk for this field, this often points to the automation of routine lab tasks or data analysis. Your specialized knowledge will be crucial for interpreting these AI-driven insights, designing complex experiments, and moving into management or senior research roles. To maximize your potential, proactively seek out internships and research opportunities that expose you to emerging technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$771K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple12.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$914K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple15.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$942K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple15.7x
Earnings Trajectory

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.

Career Paths

Where Pharmacology & Toxicology graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
3
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
4
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
5
Occupational health and safety specialists
+12.5% 10-yr growth · 14,900 openings/yr
$83,910/yr
Moderate
6
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Pharmacology & Toxicology

How UC Santa Barbara stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
CUNY York College
NY · Public
50
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
13.9x
ROI
Same state (CA)
University of California-Davis
CA · Public
51
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
11.0x
ROI
Top score
University at Buffalo
NY · Public
56
DW Score
$34K
1-yr earn
22.1x
ROI
University of Louisiana at Monroe
LA · Public
25
DW Score
$20K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
Also at UC Santa Barbara

Other top programs at UC Santa Barbara

Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Santa Barbara, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Pharmacology & Toxicology at UC Santa Barbara

What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Pharmacology & Toxicology at University of California-Santa Barbara?

At 58/100, University of California-Santa Barbara's Pharmacology & Toxicology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Pharmacology & Toxicology 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.

Is University of California-Santa Barbara one of the best schools for Pharmacology & Toxicology?

Among 5 Pharmacology & Toxicology programs, University of California-Santa Barbara's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.