Biology at Boston University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,165/yr (25% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #501 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 $632K $623K $564K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$260,672
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,984
59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,985
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,946
69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $40,165/yr, edging above the $32,219 national average for Biology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,985 represents roughly 8 months of the $40,165 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #501 of 822 Biology programs, Boston University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $67,946 show a 69% jump from the $40,165 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Boston University

Boston University admits 11% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, enrolling 17,850 students in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $107,984 — 59% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston University →

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 Boston University

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Boston University?
A score of 35/100 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 $564,484 in decade earnings vs $631,878 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Boston University a hidden gem for Biology?
After financial aid, the average student pays $107,984 over four years — 59% below the $260,672 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →