UCLA professor with annual salary of 70,000 says he can’t afford rent

In a striking TikTok video, Daniel McKeown, a lecturer in astrophysics at UCLA, shared his unexpected journey into homelessness due to low wages. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the academic community and beyond, challenging the conventional perception that a professorship at a prestigious institution guarantees financial stability.

McKeown disclosed that his annual salary is just $70,000, which forced him to move out of his apartment because he couldn’t afford rent. “By strict definition, I’m currently homeless. I don’t have a permanent address or any lease,” he stated. He previously paid $2,500 a month for rent, while statistics from RentCafe show that the average rent in Westwood, where UCLA is located, has surged to $3,700.

During an interview, McKeown emphasized, “I need a $100,000 salary to afford living close to campus for my daily commute.” He mentioned that he had requested a salary increase from his department head but was turned down. KTLA news has repeatedly reached out to UCLA for comment but has not received a response.

After leaving his apartment, McKeown is currently staying temporarily with friends as he searches for affordable housing near the university. Unable to afford the rent in the immediate area, he has ended up living several hours away and has transitioned his courses to an online format.

His TikTok video attracted widespread support, with many viewers questioning where the hefty tuition fees are going if the university cannot provide a livable wage for its educators. According to UCLA’s official website, the average tuition for in-state students is $34,667. Some viewers also expressed disbelief that the university does not offer housing for faculty, with one commenter sharing their own experience: “I worked as an adjunct professor for a year, but I found myself heading toward homelessness, so I had to leave.”

When asked why he isn’t considering a job change, McKeown replied that he is passionate about teaching and appreciates that UCLA is a top-tier institution in the field of physics. As detailed on UCLA’s website, McKeown holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics and is a full-time lecturer, yet he noted that his salary is approximately half that of the average physics professor in California.

While UCLA became the first campus in the University of California system to offer housing guarantees to students in 2022, this policy does not extend to faculty. Just weeks before McKeown’s video went viral, the UC Board of Regents voted to increase the salary of the university president by 30%, highlighting the disparities in compensation within the institution.

McKeown’s ultimate aim is to advocate for salary increases for all faculty members in similar situations. “The goal is to help all teachers who face similar challenges, whether they choose to speak out or not,” he said. As a member of the American Federation of Teachers, he is currently collaborating with the union to seek solutions to this pressing issue.