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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #665 of 822

Biologyat Brown University

Graduates earn $36,084/yr in their first year — about 12.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $617K; scenarios range from $560K to $626K depending on AI disruption.

Providence, RI Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
30 AT RISK
30
Optimistic
29
Pessimistic
Earnings
$36,084
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$617K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Brown University

Your Brown biology degree, rooted in a highly selective liberal arts environment, signifies exceptional analytical and problem-solving capabilities, highly valued by top-tier employers and graduate schools. While "General Biology" suggests broad training, it actually provides a robust scientific foundation that top research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and leading medical programs actively seek. You'll find graduates excelling in diverse roles, from cutting-edge biotech startups in the Boston-Cambridge corridor to pivotal research positions, often after pursuing advanced degrees. The program's interdisciplinary flexibility makes you highly adaptable to evolving fields and positions you well for roles requiring critical thinking beyond routine tasks. Leverage the open curriculum to explore complementary fields like data science or ethics, and proactively seek out research opportunities to define your niche and maximize your long-term career trajectory.

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
$560K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple2.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$617K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$626K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Brown University'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 Brown University 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
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 Brown University

Other top programs at Brown University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Brown University, 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 Brown University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Brown University?

A score of 30/100 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 $560,161 in decade earnings vs $625,914 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Brown University a hidden gem for Biology?

After financial aid, the average student pays $106,288 over four years — 61% below the $272,920 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.