Biology at Missouri Western State University

Saint Joseph, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,936/yr (27% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #139 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 25%

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 $497K $497K $467K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.7x 12.7x 11.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.1x 7.1x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 47 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,200
Out-of-state: $70,000 (7.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,552
-29% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,935
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,681
19% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,936 put Missouri Western State University's Biology program 27% above the national median of $32,219 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 12.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,935 debt-to-$40,936 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #139 out of 822 programs, Missouri Western State University's Biology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $40,936 to $48,681 over five years (19% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Missouri Western State University

a compact campus enrolling 2,372 students in Saint Joseph, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Missouri Western 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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at Missouri Western State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Missouri Western State University's Biology program score?
This program scores 47/100 — 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.
Why does Missouri Western State University rank so high for Biology?
The #139 ranking out of 822 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →