Biology, General at Bates College

Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,613/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 1.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #736 of 822 Biology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $424K $428K $414K
Earnings Multiple 1.7x 1.7x 1.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$253,912
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$122,812
52% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,850
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Bates College's Biology, General program produces graduates earning $30,613/yr — within striking distance of the $32,219 national average for this field.

The financial case is thin at 1.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Biology, General's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,850 in median debt clears quickly against $30,613 in annual earnings.

Ranked #736 of 822 Biology, General programs, Bates College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Bates College

Only 13% of applicants gain admission to Bates College, reflecting elite selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,753 students in Lewiston, ME. The average net cost of $122,812 over four years represents a 52% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Bates 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, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bates College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology, General at Bates College?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biology, General careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $413,564 in decade earnings vs $423,676 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Bates College a hidden gem for Biology, General?
After financial aid, the average student pays $122,812 over four years — 52% below the $253,912 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →