Intelligence Brief Sciences Sector
Biology
Bachelor's · 4 years
D+
Scorecard
- $66,920
- Median salary
- 4%
- Projected growth
- 40/100
- Difficulty
- 6
- Career paths
AI Resilience 62
Overall Score 45
CollegeRanker Degree Outlook Score™
46
out of 100 · C+
Solid Outlook
Composite of earnings, projected growth, demand gap, AI resilience, career breadth, and remote flexibility — CollegeRanker's proprietary degree outlook model.
Supply vs Demand
BalancedMarket Demand48
Graduate Supply52
Supply and demand roughly aligned — projected 4% occupational growth (as fast as average).
Salary Trajectory
~1.8%/yrModeled from BLS median wage and occupational growth. Dashed bars are forecast. Illustrative, not a guarantee.
Where Graduates Work
Common Employers
- Pfizer
- Merck
- Genentech
- National Labs
- Thermo Fisher
- Regeneron
Representative employers that commonly hire Sciences graduates — illustrative of where graduates concentrate, not a guarantee.
Industry Mix
- Pharma & Biotech 33%
- Research & Labs 24%
- Healthcare 16%
- Government 14%
- Other 13%
Estimated distribution of Sciences graduates across hiring industries.
Executive Summary
- Biology scores 45/100 (D+), reflecting a challenging profile among bachelor's programs.
- Median salary of $66,920 reflects moderate earning potential.
- Projected growth of 4% is below the national average.
- AI resilience score of 62 indicates moderate disruption risk across associated careers.
Biology scores 45/100 — D+. The strongest dimension is remote potential (35/100), followed by salary (33/100). The biggest challenge: growth (14/100).
Research Insights
- At Risk Future-proof
Biology faces headwinds for long-term value (48/100). Projected growth of 4% is below average. Graduates should develop skills that complement, not compete with, AI-driven workflows.
Score 48 /100 - Limited ROI
Biology offers a challenging ROI profile (46/100). Median earnings of $66,920 are below many peers.
Score 46 /100 - Moderate Career Breadth
Biology offers moderate career breadth (55/100). The 6 identified career paths provide options, but mobility across fields may require additional credentials or experience.
Score 55 /100
Decision Intelligence
Biology presents a more complex risk/reward profile. Outcomes are less predictable and depend heavily on specific career targeting and graduate school plans.
Who Benefits Most
Students who value career stability and meet the academic prerequisites. Students who pair this degree with internships and networking outperform peers. The moderate AI risk makes it important to specialize.
Who Should Think Twice
Students who are not passionate about science or who struggle with rigorous coursework in chemistry and biology may find this degree challenging. Additionally, those seeking immediate high salaries without further education may be disillusioned with the financial outcomes.
Student Archetypes
- The Career Switcher Conditional
This type of student may have a background in another field but is passionate about biology and seeks to make a career change. They often bring diverse perspectives but may need to catch up on foundational knowledge.
Economic Importance
The Biology degree plays a crucial role in industries such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science. The market values this degree for its foundational knowledge in living systems, which is essential for research and development in various sectors.
Scorecard Analysis
Our proprietary scorecard evaluates degrees across five dimensions from BLS wage and growth data, O*NET work context, and standard education requirements.
Below-average earning
Below-average growth
Moderate barrier
Primarily in-person
Less competitive
Difficulty Score
40/100
Composite reflecting the combined demands of salary, growth, barrier, remote compatibility, and competition.
AI Resilience Assessment
Automation risk for careers linked to this degree.
Biology faces moderate AI disruption risk (62/100). While AI will automate routine components within many associated careers, core responsibilities still require human oversight and strategic thinking. Upskilling in AI collaboration tools is recommended.
- Domain expertise from this degree provides some protection against full automation.
- AI can handle routine reporting, data aggregation, and first-pass analysis in many associated careers.
- Risk factor: entry-level roles in fields linked to this degree may face headcount reduction as AI handles more data processing.
Intelligence Deep Dive
-
Reality Check
Many graduates face intense competition for limited positions, especially in research and healthcare. Additionally, the degree's broad nature can lead to uncertainty about career paths, making it essential for students to seek internships and networking opportunities early on.
-
Hiring Market Signal
The hiring market for biology graduates is stable, with demand primarily from healthcare and research institutions. However, competition is strong, and job seekers should focus on gaining practical experience and relevant internships to enhance employability.
-
Risk Factors
- High student debt
- Saturation in entry-level job market
- Dependence on further education for advancement
- Geographic concentration of job opportunities
- Potential for automation in certain roles
-
ROI Timeline
Typically, it can take 5-10 years to recoup the investment in a Biology degree, depending on the starting salary, debt load, and whether the graduate pursues further education. Those entering medical or specialized fields may see quicker returns.
What You'll Study
This curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation in essential biological concepts and methodologies, preparing graduates for a variety of roles in research, healthcare, and environmental management. The combination of courses fosters critical thinking and practical skills needed for laboratory and fieldwork.
The academic experience in a Biology program typically begins with foundational courses in general biology, chemistry, and mathematics, progressively advancing to specialized topics such as genetics, microbiology, and ecology. Laboratory work is a significant component of the curriculum, where students gain practical skills in conducting experiments, using scientific instruments, and analyzing results.
Internships and research projects are often encouraged or required, providing real-world experience that can enhance job readiness. Students should be prepared for rigorous coursework and the need to develop strong analytical and quantitative skills, which are essential for success in both academics and future careers.
Typical Curriculum
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Ecology
- Microbiology
- Physiology
- Research Methods
Career Pipeline
From entry to executive.
Entry-Level
- Lab Technician
- Research Assistant
- Biological Technician
- Ecology Field Technician
Mid-Career
- Biotechnology Researcher
- Environmental Biologist
- Pharmaceutical Scientist
Advanced
- Research Scientist
- Medical Doctor (with MD)
Pipeline Insight
Graduates typically begin in entry-level roles that allow them to gain hands-on experience and develop specialized skills. Advancement often depends on additional education, such as medical school or graduate studies, and those who actively engage in networking and continuous learning are more likely to progress.
Career Outcomes
Graduates with a Bachelor's in Biology often pursue careers as Research Scientists, Medical Doctors, or Lab Technicians, among others. The median salary for biology graduates is around $66,920, and while job growth in the field is projected at 4%, many roles, especially in healthcare and research, may see higher demand due to ongoing scientific advancements and healthcare needs.
- Research Scientist
- Medical Doctor (with MD)
- Pharmaceutical Scientist
- Environmental Biologist
- Lab Technician
- Biotechnology Researcher
Compensation Context
The median salary for biology graduates is $66,920, which reflects the degree's broad applicability but also the competitive nature of the job market. Compensation can vary significantly based on geographic location, industry sector, and whether further education is pursued, such as medical degrees or specialized certifications.
Alternative Routes
Similar or competing pathways students consider alongside Biology:
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
- Health Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Self-taught coding or data analysis
Getting In & Timeline
Typical time to complete: 4 years full-time
- High school diploma or equivalent, coursework in biology and chemistry, and standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) may be required.
Advice
Engaging in research or internships during your studies can significantly enhance your resume and career prospects.
Is This Degree Worth It?
The ROI for a Biology degree can be positive for those who pursue advanced degrees or specialized careers, particularly in medicine or research. However, for graduates who remain in entry-level positions without further education, the financial payoff may be less favorable, especially when considering student debt.
Schools With Strong Outcomes in Sciences
Ranked by median graduate earnings 10 years after enrollment. Schools grouped into tiers by outcome level.
Top Tier2schools
Strong Outcomes2schools
Explore More Degrees
Methodology & Data Sources
Every score, grade, and verdict on this page is built from a consistent framework designed to answer one question: what is the expected return on this degree?
Scorecard dimensions. We evaluate programs on five proprietary axes — Salary, Job Growth, Education Barrier, Remote/Online Compatibility, and Competition — each normalized to a 0–100 scale. The Overall Score is a weighted composite: salary (30%), job growth (20%), AI resilience (15%), barrier proximity (15%), competition inverse (10%), and career breadth (10%). Letter grades follow a standard scale from A+ (95+) down to F.
AI Resilience. Measures automation risk across the degree's associated career pathways. Each degree receives a category-level baseline adjusted upward for AI-adjacent fields (e.g., machine learning, computer science) and downward for fields with higher routine-task exposure. The score represents the degree's resistance to labor-market disruption, not a prediction of elimination.
Verdict scores. Future-Proof, ROI, and Career Breadth are secondary composites weighting AI resilience, growth, salary, barrier, and career count to answer specific decision questions: is this career durable (Future-Proof), financially worthwhile (ROI), and flexible (Career Breadth)?
Data sources. Salary and growth figures are drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (O*NET) and the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2023–2033 projections). Education requirement data and work context scores come from O*NET 28.2. School-level earnings data is sourced from the Opportunity Insights Economic Tracker (median earnings 10 years after enrollment, based on federal tax records). Program rankings and school lists reflect CollegeRanker's proprietary classification and filtering methodology.
This page is built on disclosed, reproducible data. No affiliate bias, no survey-based rankings, no undisclosed weighting.
Data Behind This Page Updated 2025
Source datasets
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023–2033 projections
- O*NET 28.2 — education requirements and work-context data
- Opportunity Insights — earnings 10 years after enrollment (federal tax records)
Methodology
Degrees are scored on five normalized axes — salary (30%), job growth (20%), AI resilience (15%), education barrier (15%), and competition (10%), plus career breadth (10%) — each on a 0–100 scale.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Salary and growth figures come from federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data — administrative wage records and official projections, not surveys.
- AI-resilience scores are computed from O*NET task and work-context data, applied consistently across every program.
- Every measure is normalized to a fixed 0–100 scale, so degrees are directly comparable.
Limitations
- BLS wage data reflect national medians; actual pay varies widely by region, employer, and experience.
- Job growth is a 2023–2033 projection, not a guarantee — labor markets shift with technology and the economy.
- AI-resilience is a directional estimate of automation exposure, not a prediction about any specific role.
- Figures describe typical outcomes for the field, not a promise for any individual graduate.
