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Biology at Barnard College

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,329/yr (47% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 1.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #354 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 50%

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 $517K $515K $481K
Earnings Multiple 2.0x 1.9x 1.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,984
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$157,012
41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,520
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates of Barnard College's Biology program earn $47,329/yr in their first year — 47% above the $32,219 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The financial case is thin at 1.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

At $17,520 in median debt against $47,329 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #354 of 822 Biology programs, Barnard College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Barnard College

Barnard College admits 8% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, a compact campus enrolling 3,219 students in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $157,012 over four years — 41% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Barnard College →

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

Compare this program → View all 822 schools offering Biology →

Biology at Other Schools

University of San Diego ($54,223) Trinity College ($52,179) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($51,711) Edgewood College ($51,134) Shepherd University ($49,165) Roger Williams University ($47,799) Curry College ($46,736) University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($46,526)

Other Majors at Barnard College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($107,434) Economics ($85,860) Political Science and Government ($57,298) Sociology ($48,215) History ($48,092) Research and Experimental Psychology ($44,055) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($42,622) English Language and Literature, General ($40,414)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Barnard College?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $481,221 in decade earnings vs $517,010 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →