Biology, General at Eckerd College

Saint Petersburg, FL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
19
Optimistic
18
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,871/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #818 of 822 Biology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biology, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $425K $429K $414K
Earnings Multiple 2.1x 2.1x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 18 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$201,496
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$132,044
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
12.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,830
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,871/yr fall 17% below the $32,219 national median for Biology, General. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

An earnings multiple of 2.1x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $26,871 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #818 out of 822 programs, Eckerd College's financial outcomes for Biology, General trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $26,871 to $33,830 shows 26% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Eckerd College

Eckerd College has a 79% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,984 students in Saint Petersburg, FL. After financial aid, the average student pays $132,044 over four years — 34% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Eckerd 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

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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

How does Eckerd College's Biology, General program score?
This program scores 18/100 — on the lower end for Biology, General. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Eckerd College Biology, General graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Biology, General to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology, General careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 40% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Biology, General earnings lower at Eckerd College?
Lower starting pay at Eckerd College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →