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Biology at Black Hills State University

Spearfish, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,518/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (9.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #486 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 $440K $443K $425K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 12.3x 11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.1x 9.2x 8.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,000
Out-of-state: $48,400 (9.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,004
-89% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,764
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,518 track close to the $32,219 national median for Biology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 12.3x 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 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,764 debt-to-$33,518 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #486 out of 822 programs, Black Hills State University's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University has a 94% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 1,935 in Spearfish, SD.

See all programs and financial aid at Black Hills 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

Compare this program → View all 822 schools offering Biology →

Biology at Other Schools

University of San Diego ($54,223) Trinity College ($52,179) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($51,711) Edgewood College ($51,134) Shepherd University ($49,165) Roger Williams University ($47,799) Barnard College ($47,329) Curry College ($46,736)

Other Majors at Black Hills State University

Special Education and Teaching ($49,134) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($47,978) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($47,494) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($45,682) Community Organization and Advocacy ($39,092) Psychology, General ($35,996) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($34,142) Design and Applied Arts ($31,022)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does Black Hills State University's Biology program score?
This program scores 36/100 — 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 →