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Biological Sciences · Biotechnology Rank #8 of 18

Biotechnologyat Brigham Young University

Graduates earn $42,178/yr in their first year — about 12.0% below the national Biotechnology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $627K; scenarios range from $563K to $642K depending on AI disruption.

Provo, UT Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
55 SOLID
55
Optimistic
51
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,178
1-year post-graduation
ROI
25.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$627K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
55% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Brigham Young University

Brigham Young's Biotechnology program consistently produces well-prepared graduates, reflecting the institution's academic rigor. The initial earnings profile, while strong in absolute terms, often reflects the regional labor market in Utah, which, while growing, isn't yet a high-cost-of-living biotech hub like Boston or San Francisco. Many graduates find excellent entry-level roles in medical device manufacturing, diagnostics, or research institutions across the Intermountain West, building foundational experience before advancing. Your career trajectory often involves starting as a lab technician or research assistant, gaining practical skills that lead to roles as biological scientists or managers. Given the high AI risk associated with certain biotech tasks, proactively pursuing internships that emphasize data analysis, bioinformatics, or specialized instrument operation will be crucial for differentiating your skill set and unlocking higher-paying, more resilient career paths.

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
$563K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple21.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$627K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple24.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$642K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple24.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Biotechnology 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
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
3
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/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 Biotechnology

How Brigham Young University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Worcester State University
MA · Public
64
DW Score
$70K
1-yr earn
18.3x
ROI
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
CA · Public
64
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
26.0x
ROI
University of California-Davis
CA · Public
61
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
14.3x
ROI
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
NJ · Public
43
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
7.2x
ROI
Same state (UT)
Utah Valley University
UT · Public
61
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
28.3x
ROI
Also at Brigham Young University

Other top programs at Brigham Young University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Brigham Young University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Biotechnology at Brigham Young University

What does a 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biotechnology at Brigham Young University?

At 55/100, Brigham Young University's Biotechnology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Biotechnology at Brigham Young University?

The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.