Biology at Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,216/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #187 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 $578K $573K $526K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.8x 11.7x 10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 5.0x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 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)
$48,960
Out-of-state: $115,008 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,328
-19% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,865
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,704
67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,216/yr, edging above the $32,219 national average for Biology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology programs nationally.

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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,865 represents roughly 8 months of the $35,216 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #187 of 822 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $58,704 show a 67% jump from the $35,216 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University has a 73% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 6,004 students in University Center, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Saginaw Valley 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Saginaw Valley State University?
A score of 45/100 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 $525,762 in decade earnings vs $578,458 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Saginaw Valley State University's Biology program stand out?
Ranked #187 of 822 programs nationally, Saginaw Valley State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →