Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $26,340/yr fall 18% below the $32,219 national median for Biology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
Some AI exposure exists in Biology's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $22,548 represents roughly 10 months of the $26,340 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #815 of 822 Biology programs, University of Portland falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $53,076 show a 102% jump from the $26,340 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.