Biology, General at Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,074/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 21.2x earnings multiple (8.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #31 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 5%

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 $711K $696K $622K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.7x 21.2x 19.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.9x 8.7x 7.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,760
Out-of-state: $80,280 (8.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,204
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$73,611
116% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,074 at Sonoma State University come in 6% above the national median of $32,219 for Biology, General programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology, General programs nationally.

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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $34,074 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #31 of 822 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $73,611 show a 116% jump from the $34,074 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Sonoma State University

Sonoma State University accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 5,374 in Rohnert Park, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Sonoma 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

Biology, General at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology, General at Sonoma State University?
A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biology, General field.
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 $621,608 in decade earnings vs $710,685 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Sonoma State University's Biology, General program stand out?
Ranked #31 of 822 programs nationally, Sonoma State University lands in the top 5%. 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 →