Biology at Benedict College

Columbia, SC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
22
Optimistic
21
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,805/yr (-29% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 6.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #805 of 822 Biology, General programs

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 $440K $444K $426K
Earnings Multiple 6.1x 6.2x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 21 21

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$72,000
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,124
1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$33,923
17.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,854
53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Benedict College's Biology graduates start at $22,805/yr, trailing the $32,219 national average by 29%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 6.2x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $33,923 debt load exceeds a year of the $22,805 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #805 out of 822 programs, Benedict College's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $22,805 to $34,854 over five years (53% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Benedict College

Benedict College's 67% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,573 students in Columbia, SC. 63% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Benedict 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

Biology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Benedict College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Benedict College's Biology program score?
This program scores 21/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Benedict College Biology graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.5x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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 are Biology earnings lower at Benedict College?
Lower starting pay at Benedict College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →