Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $26,350 place Fort Lewis College below the $32,219 national median for Biology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.7x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $17,653 represents roughly 8 months of the $26,350 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #647 of 822 Biology programs, Fort Lewis College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $43,405 show a 65% jump from the $26,350 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.