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Biology at Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,290/yr (13% vs median)

AI Risk High (40% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #124 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 graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$612K	$604K	$550K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.8x	11.6x	10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.3x	5.2x	4.7x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	45%	35%
DegreeOutlook Score	48	48	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)

$51,988

Out-of-state: $116,292 (5.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$57,604

-11% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,647

6.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,464

75% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $36,290 per year, Biology graduates from Washington State University earn slightly above the $32,219 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 11.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,647 debt-to-$36,290 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #124 out of 822 programs, Washington State University's Biology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $36,290 to $63,464 over five years (75% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Washington State University

With 85% of applicants admitted, Washington State University prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 21,583 students in Pullman, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington State 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 Washington State 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 Washington State University's Biology program score?

This program scores 48/100 — 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.

Why does Washington State University rank so high for Biology?

The #124 ranking out of 822 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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