Biology at Roanoke College

Salem, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,458/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 4.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #420 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 $596K $589K $538K
Earnings Multiple 4.1x 4.0x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$147,096
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$111,144
24% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,009
66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,458/yr, edging above the $32,219 national average for Biology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 4.0x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$37,458 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #420 out of 822 programs, Roanoke College's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $37,458 to $62,009 over five years (66% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Roanoke College

Roanoke College has a 80% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,801 students in Salem, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Roanoke 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 Roanoke College

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 Roanoke College's Biology program score?
This program scores 38/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →