Biology at Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
26
Optimistic
26
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,666/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #744 of 822 Biology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $664K $653K $588K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 26 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,032
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$114,984
56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,079
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,200
116% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $30,666/yr, Biology graduates from Wake Forest University land near the $32,219 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 2.5x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,079 debt-to-$30,666 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #744 out of 822 programs, Wake Forest University's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $30,666 to $66,200 over five years (116% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Wake Forest University

A 22% acceptance rate puts Wake Forest University in competitive admissions territory, enrolling 5,471 students in Winston-Salem, NC. After financial aid, the average student pays $114,984 over four years — 56% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Wake Forest University →

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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wake Forest University

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 Wake Forest University's Biology program score?
This program scores 26/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology 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.
How affordable is Biology at Wake Forest University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $259,032, but the average net cost is $114,984 — a 56% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →