Biology at California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
63 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
64
Optimistic
63
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,370/yr (38% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 23.1x earnings multiple (8.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 1%

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 $662K $651K $587K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.5x 23.1x 20.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.7x 8.6x 7.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 64 63 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,220
Out-of-state: $75,740 (8.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,104
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,272
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$73,854
66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of California State University-East Bay's Biology program earn $44,370/yr in their first year — 38% above the $32,219 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 23.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology programs nationally.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,272 in median debt against $44,370 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #1 of 822 Biology programs nationally, California State University-East Bay sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $73,854 show a 66% jump from the $44,370 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-East Bay

California State University-East Bay has a 97% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 10,422 in Hayward, CA. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-East Bay →

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 California State University-East Bay

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 at California State University-East Bay?
A score of 63/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biology field.
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 $586,524 in decade earnings vs $662,286 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-East Bay's Biology program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 822 programs nationally, California State University-East Bay lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →