Psychology at University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,730/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk
High (49% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI
10.3x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Psychology graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $607K | $597K | $539K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 10.4x | 10.3x | 9.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.3x | 3.3x | 3.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 51% | 47% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 41 | 41 | 40 |
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 (3.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,902
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,093
92% growth from Year 1
About University of California-Santa Cruz
University of California-Santa Cruz's 63% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, 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
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other
$117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists
$109,840/yr
Compare & Explore
Psychology at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of California-Santa Cruz
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 41/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Psychology at University of California-Santa Cruz?
At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Psychology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Psychology at University of California-Santa Cruz?
The 49% 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 Cruz one of the best schools for Psychology?
Among 926 Psychology programs, University of California-Santa Cruz's #208 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →