Physics at University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,859/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI
7.8x earnings multiple (2.5x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Physics graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $451K | $456K | $441K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 7.8x | 7.8x | 7.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 2.5x | 2.5x | 2.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 70% | 62% | 46% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 37 | 36 | 41 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,240
Out-of-state: $181,348 (2.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,250
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
About University of California-Santa Cruz
A 63% admission rate makes University of California-Santa Cruz accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a mid-sized student body of 17,812 in Santa Cruz, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Santa Cruz →Top Career Paths
Physicists
$166,290/yr
Natural sciences managers
$161,180/yr
Physics teachers, postsecondary
$97,360/yr
Compare & Explore
Physics at Other Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does University of California-Santa Cruz's Physics program score?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Physics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Physics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Physics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Physics earnings lower at University of California-Santa Cruz?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Santa Cruz may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →