Biology, General at Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,087/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #447 of 822 Biology, General programs

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 $603K $596K $544K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.0x 14.8x 13.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.5x 7.4x 6.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,336
Out-of-state: $80,464 (7.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,828
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,500
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,612
122% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $25,087/yr fall 22% below the $32,219 national median for Biology, General. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.8x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $15,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $25,087 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #447 of 822 Biology, General programs, Tennessee Technological University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $55,612 show a 122% jump from the $25,087 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Technological University has a 83% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 8,495 in Cookeville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee Technological 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 Tennessee Technological University?
A score of 37/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $543,729 in decade earnings vs $603,246 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Biology, General from Tennessee Technological 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 →