Biology at Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,443/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #767 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 $773K $754K $667K
Earnings Multiple 3.1x 3.0x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 24 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$251,136
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$190,108
24% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
10.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,913
190% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Chapman University's Biology graduates start at $24,443/yr, trailing the $32,219 national average by 24%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The financial case is thin at 3.0x — 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's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 10 months of the $24,443 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #767 of 822 Biology programs, Chapman University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $70,913 show a 190% jump from the $24,443 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Chapman University

Chapman University's 56% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, enrolling 7,629 students in Orange, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Chapman 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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at Chapman University

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 at Chapman University?
A score of 24/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $666,871 in decade earnings vs $773,129 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Biology from Chapman University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →