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Biological and Physical Sciences at University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $75,418/yr (106% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (28% exposed)

Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

ROI 2.7x earnings multiple

Ranked #4 of 26 Biological and Physical Sciences programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$690K	$676K	$626K
Earnings Multiple	2.8x	2.7x	2.5x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	49%	43%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	54	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$250,772

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$111,292

56% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,000

3.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$84,885

13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $75,418 put University of Notre Dame's Biological and Physical Sciences program 106% above the national median of $36,628 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Biological and Physical Sciences's typical career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $75,418 far exceeding the $19,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #4 of 26 nationally, this is a top-5% Biological and Physical Sciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $84,885 are relatively flat compared to the $75,418 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame's 12% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, enrolling 8,923 students in Notre Dame, IN. The average net cost of $111,292 over four years represents a 56% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Notre Dame →

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 and Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Notre Dame

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biological and Physical Sciences at University of Notre Dame?

A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biological and Physical Sciences field.

What makes University of Notre Dame's Biological and Physical Sciences program stand out?

Ranked #4 of 26 programs nationally, University of Notre Dame lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Is University of Notre Dame a hidden gem for Biological and Physical Sciences?

After financial aid, the average student pays $111,292 over four years — 56% below the $250,772 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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