Home › Mount Mercy University › Biology

Biology at Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,264/yr (0% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #695 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 $433K $437K $420K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.8x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$156,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$93,740
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Mount Mercy University's Biology program produces graduates earning $32,264/yr — within striking distance of the $32,219 national average for this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $32,264 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #695 of 822 Biology programs, Mount Mercy University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Mount Mercy University

A 79% acceptance rate means Mount Mercy University is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 1,135 students in Cedar Rapids, IA. The average net cost of $93,740 over four years represents a 40% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Mount Mercy 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

Compare this program → View all 822 schools offering Biology →

Biology at Other Schools

University of San Diego ($54,223) Trinity College ($52,179) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($51,711) Edgewood College ($51,134) Shepherd University ($49,165) Roger Williams University ($47,799) Barnard College ($47,329) Curry College ($46,736)

Other Majors at Mount Mercy University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($66,647) Business/Commerce, General ($57,572) Accounting and Related Services ($52,486) Finance and Financial Management Services ($51,445) Human Resources Management and Services ($48,722) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($43,810) Marketing ($40,690) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($40,297)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 at Mount Mercy University?
A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biology careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $420,248 in decade earnings vs $432,893 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →