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Biology, General at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,435/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk High (40% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #401 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, General graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$698K	$684K	$613K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.9x	10.7x	9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.0x	3.9x	3.5x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	45%	35%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	38	38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$63,952

Out-of-state: $173,488 (3.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$83,004

-30% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,175

11.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$66,211

150% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Michigan State University's Biology, General graduates start at $26,435/yr, trailing the $32,219 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology, General programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Biology, General's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,175 represents roughly 11 months of the $26,435 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #401 of 822 Biology, General programs, Michigan State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $66,211 show a 150% jump from the $26,435 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Michigan State University

A 84% acceptance rate means Michigan State University is accessible to most applicants, with 40,243 students enrolled in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan State 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, General at Other Schools

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology, General at Michigan State University?

A score of 38/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Biology, General careers?

With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $612,612 in decade earnings vs $698,278 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Biology, General from Michigan State 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →