Biology at Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,616/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #623 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 $643K $633K $573K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.4x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,632
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$119,920
54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,008
88% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Macalester College's Biology graduates start at $35,616/yr — above the $32,219 national average, though not by a wide margin.

An earnings multiple of 2.4x 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 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$35,616 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #623 out of 822 programs, Macalester College's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $35,616 to $67,008 over five years (88% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Macalester College

Admission to Macalester College is competitive, with 28% of applicants accepted, a compact campus enrolling 2,131 students in Saint Paul, MN. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $119,920 — 54% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Macalester 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 Macalester College

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

How does Macalester College's Biology program score?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology 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.
How affordable is Biology at Macalester College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $259,632, but the average net cost is $119,920 — a 54% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →