Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $25,938/yr fall 19% below the $32,219 national median for Biology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 10.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $30,450 debt load exceeds a year of the $25,938 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
At #748 out of 822 programs, South Carolina State University's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $25,938 to $38,985 over five years (50% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.