Biology at Ball State University

Muncie, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,248/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #370 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 $503K $502K $471K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.7x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,032
Out-of-state: $115,064 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$63,592
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,229
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,824
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,248 per year, Biology graduates from Ball State University earn slightly above the $32,219 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 11.7x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,229 debt-to-$34,248 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #370 out of 822 programs, Ball State University's Biology offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $34,248 to $47,824 shows 40% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Ball State University

With 72% of applicants admitted, Ball State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 13,770 in Muncie, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Ball 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ball State University's Biology program score?
This program scores 39/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →