Biology at California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
56 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
56
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,192/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 20.8x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #17 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 5%

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 $643K $633K $573K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.2x 20.8x 18.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 8.1x 7.3x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 56 54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,408
Out-of-state: $77,928 (8.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,048
-38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,900
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,859
82% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Sacramento's Biology graduates start at $37,192/yr — above the $32,219 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.8x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,900 in median debt clears quickly against $37,192 in annual earnings.

At #17 of 822 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $67,859 show a 82% jump from the $37,192 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Sacramento

A 94% acceptance rate means California State University-Sacramento is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 27,867 in Sacramento, CA. 49% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

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

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-Sacramento

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at California State University-Sacramento?
A score of 56/100 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 $572,694 in decade earnings vs $643,206 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Sacramento's Biology program stand out?
Ranked #17 of 822 programs nationally, California State University-Sacramento lands in the top 5%. 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 →