Biology at Albion College

Albion, MI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
17 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
17
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,713/yr (-36% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #820 of 822 Biology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $611K $603K $550K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.7x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 17 17

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$222,984
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,528
70% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,845
13.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,772
155% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $20,713 place Albion College below the $32,219 national median for Biology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

An earnings multiple of 2.7x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,845 debt load exceeds a year of the $20,713 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #820 out of 822 programs, Albion College's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $20,713 to $52,772 over five years (155% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Albion College

Albion College accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,347 students in Albion, MI. With 45% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $67,528 — 70% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Albion College →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Albion College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Albion College's Biology program score?
This program scores 17/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Albion College Biology graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 40% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Biology earnings lower at Albion College?
Lower starting pay at Albion College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Biology at Albion College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $222,984, but the average net cost is $67,528 — a 70% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →