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Biological & Physical Sciences at The Evergreen State College

Olympia, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biological and Physical Sciences

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $27,555/yr (-25% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (28% exposed)

Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

ROI 14.0x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #20 of 26 Biological and Physical Sciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biological & Physical Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$503K	$502K	$475K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.0x	14.0x	13.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.1x	4.1x	3.8x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	49%	43%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	32	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)

$35,996

Out-of-state: $123,920 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$90,340

-151% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,982

9.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,214

64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,555/yr fall 25% below the $36,628 national median for Biological & Physical Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 14.0x 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 — 28% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,982 debt-to-$27,555 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #20 out of 26 programs, The Evergreen State College's financial outcomes for Biological & Physical Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $27,555 to $45,214 over five years (64% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About The Evergreen State College

The Evergreen State College has a 97% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 2,042 students in Olympia, WA. Pell Grant recipients make up 41% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at The Evergreen State College →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biological & Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at The Evergreen State College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The Evergreen State College's Biological & Physical Sciences program score?

This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Biological & Physical Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why are Biological & Physical Sciences earnings lower at The Evergreen State College?

Lower starting pay at The Evergreen State College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →