Economics
Bachelor's degree · University of California-Santa Cruz · Santa Cruz, CA
How this program compares
Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Economics at University of California-Santa Cruz earn a median of $50,518 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $82,686 four years after graduating (middle half: $58,184–$116,323). Median debt is $18,017, about 36% of first-year earnings – a manageable level by common guidelines.
Economics (Bachelor's degree) at other California schools
| College | Earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford University Stanford | $98,104 | $12,500 |
| Claremont McKenna College Claremont | $89,505 | $12,000 |
| University of California-Berkeley Berkeley | $80,446 | $12,650 |
| Santa Clara University Santa Clara | $76,606 | $19,500 |
| Northeastern University Oakland Oakland | $70,531 | $23,250 |
| Pomona College Claremont | $70,051 | — |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo | $67,501 | $17,500 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara | $66,334 | $13,440 |
| Occidental College Los Angeles | $64,885 | $23,000 |
| University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles | $62,091 | $15,000 |
| Pitzer College Claremont | $59,767 | — |
| University of San Francisco San Francisco | $58,046 | $21,500 |
| California State University-Channel Islands Camarillo | $57,440 | — |
| University of Southern California Los Angeles | $57,060 | $13,850 |
| Pepperdine University Malibu | $54,267 | $24,250 |
Other programs at University of California-Santa Cruz
- Computer EngineeringMaster's degree
$120,756 - Computer EngineeringBachelor's degree
$79,969 - Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringBachelor's degree
$78,842 - Computer ScienceBachelor's degree
$75,150 - Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and ResearchMaster's degree
$59,351 - Biomedical/Medical EngineeringBachelor's degree
$55,856 - Computer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementBachelor's degree
$55,773 - Business/Managerial EconomicsBachelor's degree
$52,029 - Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical SciencesBachelor's degree
$45,088 - Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesBachelor's degree
$43,362 - MathematicsBachelor's degree
$40,798 - Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyBachelor's degree
$40,320 - ChemistryBachelor's degree
$39,700 - PhysicsBachelor's degree
$37,859 - Biology, GeneralBachelor's degree
$37,651 - Non-Professional Legal StudiesBachelor's degree
$36,941 - Cognitive ScienceBachelor's degree
$35,384 - Astronomy and AstrophysicsBachelor's degree
$35,171 - HistoryBachelor's degree
$33,081 - Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsBachelor's degree
$32,934
Frequently asked questions
How much do Economics graduates from University of California-Santa Cruz make?
The median salary is $50,518 one year after graduation and $88,583 after five years.
How much student debt do graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $18,017.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.