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Biology at University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,892/yr (-7% vs median)

AI Risk High (40% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

ROI 15.7x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #166 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 25%

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	$692K	$679K	$608K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.0x	15.7x	14.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.7x	5.6x	5.0x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	45%	35%
DegreeOutlook Score	47	46	46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,128

Out-of-state: $122,288 (5.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$81,880

-90% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,500

8.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$68,513

129% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,892/yr, Biology graduates from University at Buffalo land near the $32,219 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 15.7x 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 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,500 debt-to-$29,892 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #166 out of 822 programs, University at Buffalo's Biology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $29,892 to $68,513 over five years (129% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University at Buffalo

University at Buffalo accepts 69% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 20,284 students enrolled in Buffalo, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at University at Buffalo →

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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at University at Buffalo

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University at Buffalo's Biology program score?

This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 40% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does University at Buffalo rank so high for Biology?

The #166 ranking out of 822 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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