Biology at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,760/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 16.5x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #246 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 50%

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 $525K $523K $487K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.6x 16.5x 15.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.6x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,652
Out-of-state: $79,172 (6.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,668
-66% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,875
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,531
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $32,760/yr, Biology graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt land near the $32,219 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology programs nationally.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,875 represents roughly 7 months of the $32,760 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #246 of 822 Biology programs, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $50,531 show a 54% jump from the $32,760 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

With 99% of applicants admitted, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 5,491 in Arcata, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt →

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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
A score of 43/100 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 $487,245 in decade earnings vs $525,325 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →