Home Schools Boston College Biology
Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #348 of 822

Biologyat Boston College

Graduates earn $38,592/yr in their first year — about 20.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $726K; scenarios range from $645K to $743K depending on AI disruption.

Chestnut Hill, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
40 AVERAGE
40
Optimistic
38
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,592
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$726K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Boston College

Your Boston College Biology degree carries the weight of a strong academic reputation, immediately opening doors in competitive fields. The general biology track here is often a robust launchpad, particularly for pre-health professional programs or advanced research degrees, which significantly shape future earning potential.

Being in the greater Boston area is a massive advantage; you're at the epicenter of the biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical research industries. This proximity to major employers like academic medical centers, startups, and established pharma companies means unparalleled internship and networking opportunities from day one, helping explain the strong career outcomes. Many graduates pursue further education, leading to roles as medical scientists or managers, leveraging the deep research infrastructure available locally. To mitigate the high AI risk identified, focus on developing interdisciplinary skills like bioinformatics or advanced lab techniques, and always maximize your access to BC's alumni network and the region's vast industry connections.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$645K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$726K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$743K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Boston College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Biology graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
3
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
4
Life scientists, all other
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$87,800/yr
Low
5
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
6
Forensic science technicians
+12.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$67,440/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Biology

How Boston College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of San Diego
CA · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Same state (MA)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
MA · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.5x
ROI
Edgewood College
WI · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Top score
Shepherd University
WV · Public
59
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
15.8x
ROI
Also at Boston College

Other top programs at Boston College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Boston 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Biology at Boston College

How does Boston College's Biology program score?

This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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.