Physics
Bachelor's degree · University of California-Santa Cruz · Santa Cruz, CA
How this program compares
Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Physics at University of California-Santa Cruz earn a median of $37,859 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $76,786 four years after graduating (middle half: $51,777–$102,948). Median debt is $16,250, about 43% of first-year earnings – a manageable level by common guidelines.
Physics (Bachelor's degree) at other California schools
| College | Earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona | $64,045 | $23,000 |
| University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles | $60,495 | $21,000 |
| California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino | $57,114 | — |
| California State University-San Marcos San Marcos | $56,018 | $19,000 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara | $53,597 | $15,965 |
| University of California-Berkeley Berkeley | $50,219 | $15,000 |
| University of California-San Diego La Jolla | $48,951 | $18,000 |
| University of California-Irvine Irvine | $43,144 | $13,590 |
| California State University-Long Beach Long Beach | $42,057 | $18,654 |
| University of California-Riverside Riverside | $19,977 | $19,000 |
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 - EconomicsBachelor's degree
$50,518 - 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 - 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 Physics graduates from University of California-Santa Cruz make?
The median salary is $37,859 one year after graduation.
How much student debt do graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $16,250.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.