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Biology at Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
59
Optimistic
59
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,165/yr (53% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 15.6x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 1%

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 $543K $540K $500K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.7x 15.6x 14.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.1x 7.1x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 59 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,568
Out-of-state: $76,328 (7.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,564
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,100
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,987
18% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Shepherd University's Biology program earn $49,165/yr in their first year — 53% above the $32,219 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.6x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,100 in median debt against $49,165 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #4 of 822 Biology programs nationally, Shepherd University sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $57,987 are relatively flat compared to the $49,165 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Shepherd University

Shepherd University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 2,375 students in Shepherdstown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at Shepherd 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) Roger Williams University ($47,799) Barnard College ($47,329) Curry College ($46,736) University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($46,526)

Other Majors at Shepherd University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,914) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($57,265) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($46,549) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($41,766) Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General ($39,351) Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies ($34,287) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($33,587) Sociology ($33,190)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Shepherd University?
A score of 59/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biology field.
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 $500,125 in decade earnings vs $543,094 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Shepherd University's Biology program stand out?
Ranked #4 of 822 programs nationally, Shepherd University lands in the top 1%. 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 →