Biology at Arcadia University

Glenside, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,110/yr (24% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #300 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 50%

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 $669K $657K $591K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.4x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$193,160
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$103,464
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,595
81% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $40,110/yr, edging above the $32,219 national average for Biology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 3.4x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Biology's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $40,110 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #300 of 822 Biology programs, Arcadia University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $72,595 show a 81% jump from the $40,110 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Arcadia University

Arcadia University has a 79% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,799 students in Glenside, PA. The average net cost of $103,464 over four years represents a 46% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Arcadia 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 Arcadia University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Arcadia University?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biology careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $591,417 in decade earnings vs $669,036 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →