Biology at Westfield State University

Westfield, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
55
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,776/yr (33% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #24 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 5%

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 $599K $592K $541K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.6x 12.5x 11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 8.2x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 55 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,528
Out-of-state: $71,848 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,244
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,500
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,665
51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Westfield State University's Biology program earn $42,776/yr in their first year — 33% above the $32,219 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology programs nationally.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $42,776 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #24 of 822 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $64,665 show a 51% jump from the $42,776 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Westfield State University

Westfield State University has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 3,481 students in Westfield, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Westfield 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 Westfield 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Westfield State University?
A score of 55/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biology field.
Will AI replace Biology careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $540,791 in decade earnings vs $599,191 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Westfield State University's Biology program stand out?
Ranked #24 of 822 programs nationally, Westfield State University lands in the top 5%. 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 →