Biologyat Bates College
Graduates earn $30,613/yr in their first year — about 5.0% below the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $428K; scenarios range from $414K to $424K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Bates College
Bates' strong liberal arts foundation means your biology degree emphasizes critical thinking and broad scientific literacy, preparing you exceptionally well for advanced study. The earnings trajectory you see often reflects graduates pursuing medical school, PhD programs, or entering roles in public health, environmental science, or education where a deep scientific understanding is valued, rather than immediate, high-paying industry positions. While Lewiston isn't a major biotech hub, Bates excels at cultivating research opportunities and strong alumni networks that can open doors to top graduate programs and diverse organizations globally. The high AI risk score highlights that many foundational biology tasks are evolving, making it crucial to couple your scientific knowledge with strong analytical and computational skills. Seek out interdisciplinary projects and internships early to specialize your expertise.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Bates College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Biology
How Bates College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Bates College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Bates College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Biology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Biology at Bates College
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Bates College?
A score of 26/100 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 $413,564 in decade earnings vs $423,676 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Bates College a hidden gem for Biology?
After financial aid, the average student pays $122,812 over four years — 52% below the $253,912 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.