Biology at Columbia College

Columbia, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,976/yr (18% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 5.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #403 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 50%

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 $530K $528K $491K
Earnings Multiple 5.4x 5.4x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$97,304
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$96,204
1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,875
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,078
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Columbia College's Biology graduates start at $37,976/yr — above the $32,219 national average, though not by a wide margin.

A 5.4x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Biology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,875 in median debt clears quickly against $37,976 in annual earnings.

A #403 ranking among 822 Biology programs places Columbia College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 40% earnings increase from $37,976 to $53,078 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Columbia College

serving 5,359 students in Columbia, MO. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbia College →

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 Columbia College

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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 does a 38/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biology at Columbia College?
At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Biology at Columbia College?
The 40% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →