Direct answer
The core question is how the University of California (UC) defines and presents alumni earnings data, what time horizons are used, and what limits apply when comparing figures. Based on the official UC information center and the UC 2026 Accountability Report, the UC provides earnings data for alumni at 2, 5, and 10 years after graduation, broken down by major or discipline. The data come from specified sources, and the figures are presented as median incomes for California-employed alumni. The official sources are the UC Information Center and the UC Accountability Report chapter 4. These are the only sources used for the verified facts in this article. Any other details, such as exact figures beyond those stated, should be checked against the latest official pages.
Definitions and data sources
The UC alumni at work dashboard, listed on the UC Information Center on 2026-07-16, allows users to view earnings by major or discipline for graduates at 2, 5, and 10 years after graduation. The dashboard cites its data sources as: AEO, financial aid and degree data, the USDOE’s College Scorecard, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Survey 2015, and the MIT Living Wage Calculator. The learning outcomes tab (fourth tab) uses data from the NACE Survey 2015.
The UC 2026 Accountability Report also provides earnings data for California-employed alumni. The report states that in recent years, among California-employed alumni, median incomes two years after graduation were above $100,000 for nursing and computer science, about $86,000 for engineering, and about $52,000 for the system overall. The system overall exceeds $100,000 within ten years.
Time horizons
The dashboard explicitly uses three time horizons: 2, 5, and 10 years after graduation. The Accountability Report’s figures cited above refer to two years after graduation for the specific majors and the system overall, and ten years for the system overall. These time horizons are important for interpreting the data: earnings at 2 years reflect early career outcomes, while 10-year figures capture longer-term trajectories.
Comparison limits
When comparing earnings data, several limits apply. First, the data are specific to California-employed alumni, not all alumni globally. Second, the dashboard allows viewing by major or discipline, but the Accountability Report’s figures are for selected majors (nursing, computer science, engineering) and the system overall. Third, the data sources include a mix of UC administrative data, federal College Scorecard data, and a 2015 NACE survey, which may have different collection methods and timeframes. Finally, the figures are medians, not averages, so they represent the midpoint of earnings, not the typical experience of every graduate. These limits mean that direct comparisons across majors, campuses, or time periods should be made with caution, and users should refer to the official dashboard for detailed breakdowns.
Verified facts vs. official updates
The verified facts in this article are limited to what is explicitly stated in the supplied sources. The UC Information Center page (as of 2026-07-16) lists the alumni at work dashboard and its data sources. The UC 2026 Accountability Report provides the specific median income figures for two years after graduation and the system-wide ten-year threshold. These are the only numbers used. Any other figures, such as earnings at 5 or 10 years for specific majors, or breakdowns by campus, are not provided in the supplied facts and must be obtained from the official dashboard or report. The dashboard may be updated over time, so users should check the official pages for the most current data.
FAQ
What does the UC alumni at work dashboard show?
The UC alumni at work dashboard, listed on the UC Information Center on 2026-07-16, allows users to view alumni earnings by major or discipline for graduates at 2, 5, and 10 years after graduation. It draws on data from AEO, financial aid and degree data, the USDOE’s College Scorecard, the NACE Survey 2015, and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
What are the median incomes for UC alumni two years after graduation?
According to the UC 2026 Accountability Report, among California-employed alumni, median incomes two years after graduation were above $100,000 for nursing and computer science, about $86,000 for engineering, and about $52,000 for the system overall. These figures are from the report and reflect recent years.
How does the UC define earnings data time horizons?
The dashboard uses three time horizons: 2, 5, and 10 years after graduation. The Accountability Report’s figures cited in this article are for two years after graduation for the specific majors and system overall, and ten years for the system overall. These time horizons allow for tracking early and later career earnings.
What are the limitations when comparing UC alumni earnings?
Comparison limits include that the data are for California-employed alumni only, not all alumni. The dashboard allows viewing by major or discipline, but the report’s figures are for selected majors and the system overall. Data sources include UC administrative data, federal College Scorecard, and a 2015 NACE survey, which may have different methodologies. Figures are medians, not averages, and direct comparisons across majors or time periods should be made cautiously.
Where can I find the official UC alumni earnings data?
The official sources are the UC Information Center page (官网) and the UC 2026 Accountability Report chapter 4 (官网). These pages provide the dashboard and report details. For the most current data, always refer to these official sources.