Biology at Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,765/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #443 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 $672K $660K $593K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 37 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,088
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$161,716
38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,836
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,196
86% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Bucknell University's Biology graduates start at $38,765/yr — above the $32,219 national average, though not by a wide margin.

An earnings multiple of 2.5x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,836 debt-to-$38,765 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #443 out of 822 programs, Bucknell University's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $38,765 to $72,196 over five years (86% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Bucknell University

Admission to Bucknell University is competitive, with 32% of applicants accepted, a compact campus enrolling 3,818 students in Lewisburg, PA. The average net cost of $161,716 over four years represents a 38% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Bucknell 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 Bucknell University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Bucknell University's Biology program score?
This program scores 37/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →