All University of California-Santa Cruz majors by area
- Science & Math · 20
- Humanities & Languages · 10
- Social Sciences & Public Service · 9
- Arts & Design · 5
- Technology & Computing · 5
- Engineering · 3
- Business & Finance · 2
- Education · 2
- Communications & Media · 1
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry | $40,320 | $88,305 | $18,959 |
| Cognitive Science | $35,384 | $72,125 | $19,500 |
| Chemistry | $39,700 | $71,348 | $15,000 |
| Cell / Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $45,088 | $69,849 | $19,000 |
| Neuroscience | $25,034 | $69,027 | $19,500 |
| Biology | $37,651 | $65,036 | $20,703 |
| Geology / Earth Science | $43,362 | $64,499 | $20,833 |
| Mathematics | $40,798 | $59,214 | $19,232 |
| Environmental Science / Conservation | $29,152 | $55,240 | $18,500 |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | $25,810 | $49,821 | $18,887 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | — | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics | — | — | — |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | $35,171 | — | $20,500 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | — | — | — |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | — | — | — |
| Biotechnology | — | — | — |
| Natural Sciences | — | — | — |
| Physical Sciences | — | — | — |
| Physics | $37,859 | — | $16,250 |
| Plant Sciences | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| History | $33,081 | $60,519 | $18,279 |
| Ethnic / Gender Studies | $31,140 | $55,798 | $19,747 |
| Spanish / French / Romance Languages | $32,934 | $51,519 | $17,340 |
| Philosophy | $30,285 | $51,398 | $15,832 |
| Linguistics | $21,793 | $49,763 | $17,491 |
| Area Studies | — | — | — |
| Classics | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature / Letters, Other | — | — | — |
| Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| Religious Studies | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic / Interior / Fashion Design | — | $66,333 | — |
| Film and Photography | $23,614 | $45,815 | $16,439 |
| Studio Art | $21,106 | $40,156 | $19,500 |
| Theatre | $21,638 | $30,524 | $19,500 |
| Music | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $75,150 | $123,422 | $16,666 |
| Information Technology | $55,773 | $94,589 | $20,020 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | — | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | — | — | — |
| Software and Media Applications | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $79,969 | $124,641 | $23,392 |
| Electrical Engineering | $78,842 | $118,290 | $17,048 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $55,856 | $98,567 | $22,500 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Economics | $52,029 | $82,064 | $16,500 |
| Economics | $50,518 | $76,382 | $18,017 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Subject Teaching) | — | — | — |
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Communications | $25,358 | $58,163 | $20,714 |
College Scorecard field of study, latest release: median earnings of graduates who received federal aid, 1 and 4 years after graduating; median federal loan debt. — means too few graduates to report.
From major to career
Computer Science → Software developer
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 10.2% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Environmental Science / Conservation → Environmental scientist
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Across all majors, former University of California-Santa Cruz students earn a median $68,396 ten years after starting college, more than 63% of California colleges we cover. 75% graduate within six years.
University of California-Santa Cruz majors questions
How many majors does University of California-Santa Cruz offer?
University of California-Santa Cruz offers 57 bachelor's majors across 9 areas; the most majors are in Science & Math and Humanities & Languages.
What is the highest-paying major at University of California-Santa Cruz?
Computer Engineering graduates from University of California-Santa Cruz earn a median $124,641 four years after graduating, the highest of the 34 majors with reported earnings. Their median debt is $23,392.
Which University of California-Santa Cruz majors earn the least?
Among majors with reported earnings, Theatre graduates earn the least: a median $30,524 four years after graduating.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study); Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections). Back to University of California-Santa Cruz overview