Biology at Dominican University

River Forest, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
28
Optimistic
28
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,015/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 4.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #694 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 $658K $647K $583K
Earnings Multiple 4.3x 4.3x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 28 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$151,376
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,452
60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,117
11.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,903
138% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,015/yr fall 19% below the $32,219 national median for Biology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

An earnings multiple of 4.3x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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.

Median debt of $25,117 represents roughly 12 months of the $26,015 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #694 of 822 Biology programs, Dominican University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $61,903 show a 138% jump from the $26,015 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Dominican University

Dominican University has a 80% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 2,271 students in River Forest, IL. Pell Grant recipients make up 49% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $60,452 over four years represents a 60% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Dominican 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 Dominican University

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 Dominican University?
A score of 28/100 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 $583,194 in decade earnings vs $657,693 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Biology from Dominican 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.
Is Dominican University a hidden gem for Biology?
After financial aid, the average student pays $60,452 over four years — 60% below the $151,376 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →