Biology, General at University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,167/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 17.0x earnings multiple (12.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #173 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, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $654K $643K $580K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.3x 17.0x 15.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.6x 12.4x 11.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,728
Out-of-state: $51,768 (12.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$76,620
-103% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,843
8.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,695
114% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,167 track close to the $32,219 national median for Biology, General programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology, General programs nationally.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,843 represents roughly 9 months of the $30,167 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #173 of 822 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $64,695 show a 114% jump from the $30,167 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of South Dakota

University of South Dakota has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 5,239 students in Vermillion, SD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Dakota →

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 South Dakota

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 Biology, General at University of South Dakota?
A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biology, General careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $580,340 in decade earnings vs $653,754 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of South Dakota's Biology, General program stand out?
Ranked #173 of 822 programs nationally, University of South Dakota lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →