Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $26,340/yr fall 18% below the $32,219 national median for Biology, General. 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, General'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, General 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.