Biology, General at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,690/yr (-42% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 16.4x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #434 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 $696K $682K $611K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.7x 16.4x 14.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.2x 7.1x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 37 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,672
Out-of-state: $96,584 (7.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,472
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,294
13.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,937
210% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $18,690 per year, Biology, General graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn below the $32,219 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 16.4x 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 $21,294 debt load exceeds a year of the $18,690 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #434 out of 822 programs, University of Louisiana at Lafayette's financial outcomes for Biology, General trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $18,690 to $57,937 over five years (210% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Louisiana at Lafayette

With 89% of applicants admitted, University of Louisiana at Lafayette prioritizes broad access, enrolling 12,269 students in Lafayette, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette →

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

Other Majors at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Biology, General program score?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Biology, General. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do University of Louisiana at Lafayette Biology, General graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Biology, General to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology, General 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 are Biology, General earnings lower at University of Louisiana at Lafayette?
Lower starting pay at University of Louisiana at Lafayette 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 →