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Biology at Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,946/yr (-7% vs median)

AI Risk High (40% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

ROI 22.1x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #100 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 25%

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	$679K	$667K	$599K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	22.5x	22.1x	19.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.9x	6.8x	6.1x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	45%	35%
DegreeOutlook Score	49	49	49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$30,164

Out-of-state: $98,148 (6.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$65,948

-119% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,500

8.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$67,233

125% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,946/yr, Biology graduates from Appalachian State University land near the $32,219 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 22.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,500 debt-to-$29,946 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #100 out of 822 programs, Appalachian State University's Biology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $29,946 to $67,233 over five years (125% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Appalachian State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Appalachian State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 19,304 students in Boone, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Appalachian State University →

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 Appalachian State University

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 Appalachian State University's Biology program score?

This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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 does Appalachian State University rank so high for Biology?

The #100 ranking out of 822 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →