Biology, General at Muhlenberg College

Allentown, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,005/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #602 of 822 Biology, General programs

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 $897K $870K $757K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.6x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$240,960
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$121,256
50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,388
10.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,008
211% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,005/yr fall 16% below the $32,219 national median for Biology, General. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

An earnings multiple of 3.6x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 16% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,388 represents roughly 11 months of the $27,005 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #602 of 822 Biology, General programs, Muhlenberg College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $84,008 show a 211% jump from the $27,005 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Muhlenberg College

With a 64% acceptance rate, Muhlenberg College is moderately selective, a smaller institution with 1,777 students in Allentown, PA. The average net cost of $121,256 over four years represents a 50% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Muhlenberg 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, General at Other Schools

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Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology, General at Muhlenberg College?
A score of 32/100 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 $756,638 in decade earnings vs $896,970 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Biology, General from Muhlenberg College?
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 →