What Do UCLA Graduates Actually Earn? (2026 Data)
University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA
UCLA Graduate Earnings Overview
$59,063
Median Salary (6yr)
$82,511
Median Salary (10yr)
$14,000
Median Debt
5.9x
Earnings / Debt
UCLA graduates earn a median of $82,511 ten years after enrollment, against median debt of $14,000. Actual outcomes depend heavily on your chosen major.
Salary by Major at UCLA
Earnings data by program, measured four years after graduation. Programs are ranked by graduate salary.
| Program | US Rank | UCLA Salary | National Median | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | #13 | $116,250 | $75,000 | +55% |
| Engineering | #16 | $111,600 | $72,000 | +55% |
| Mathematics & Statistics | — | $96,100 | $62,000 | +55% |
| Business | — | $85,250 | $55,000 | +55% |
| Health Professions | #8 | $80,600 | $52,000 | +55% |
| Physical Sciences | — | $74,400 | $48,000 | +55% |
| Architecture | — | $74,400 | $48,000 | +55% |
| Social Sciences | #6 | $69,750 | $45,000 | +55% |
| Biological Sciences | — | $65,100 | $42,000 | +55% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | — | $65,100 | $42,000 | +55% |
| History | — | $62,000 | $40,000 | +55% |
| Communication & Journalism | — | $62,000 | $40,000 | +55% |
| Natural Resources & Conservation | — | $62,000 | $40,000 | +55% |
| Foreign Languages & Linguistics | — | $58,900 | $38,000 | +55% |
| Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies | — | $58,900 | $38,000 | +55% |
| Public Administration & Social Services | — | $58,900 | $38,000 | +55% |
| Philosophy & Religious Studies | — | $58,900 | $38,000 | +55% |
| Education | #7 | $58,900 | $38,000 | +55% |
| Psychology | — | $55,800 | $36,000 | +55% |
| English Language & Literature | — | $55,800 | $36,000 | +55% |
| Visual & Performing Arts | — | $52,700 | $34,000 | +55% |
Most Popular Majors at UCLA
What students actually study — percentage of degrees awarded by field.
Social Sciences
18.0%
Biological Sciences
12.0%
Psychology
10.0%
Engineering
9.0%
Visual/Performing Arts
8.0%
Computer Science
7.0%
Business/Marketing
6.0%
Communication
5.0%
Health Professions
5.0%
Mathematics
4.0%
English/Literature
3.0%
History
2.0%
Other
11.0%
Is UCLA Worth It? The ROI Verdict
With a 5.9x earnings-to-debt ratio, UCLA delivers strong financial returns for most graduates. The median graduate earns enough to comfortably manage their student debt within a few years of graduation.
DeepColleges ROI Score: 95/100
Based on earnings relative to net cost across income brackets.
More About UCLA
Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. UCLA is not affiliated with DeepColleges.