Biology, General at California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,894/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #426 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 $756K $738K $654K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.6x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$202,680
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$105,732
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,587
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$77,378
135% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California Lutheran University's Biology, General program produces graduates earning $32,894/yr — within striking distance of the $32,219 national average for this field.

An earnings multiple of 3.6x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,587 represents roughly 8 months of the $32,894 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #426 of 822 Biology, General programs, California Lutheran University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $77,378 show a 135% jump from the $32,894 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California Lutheran University

A 89% acceptance rate means California Lutheran University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 2,374 students in Thousand Oaks, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $105,732 over four years — 48% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California Lutheran 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, General at Other Schools

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology, General at California Lutheran University?
A score of 37/100 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 $654,315 in decade earnings vs $755,809 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →