Biology at Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,253/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 16.9x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #264 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 50%

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 $731K $715K $636K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.3x 16.9x 15.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 5.9x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$42,240
Out-of-state: $121,400 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,720
-75% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
9.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,096
170% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Stony Brook University's Biology graduates start at $25,253/yr, trailing the $32,219 national average by 22%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.9x 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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $25,253 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #264 of 822 Biology programs, Stony Brook University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $68,096 show a 170% jump from the $25,253 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University's 49% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, enrolling 17,420 students in Stony Brook, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at Stony Brook 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 Stony Brook University?
A score of 43/100 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 $636,227 in decade earnings vs $730,852 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Biology from Stony Brook University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →