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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #9 of 822

Biologyat California State University-Channel Islands

Graduates earn $38,344/yr in their first year — about 19.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $638K; scenarios range from $577K to $649K depending on AI disruption.

Camarillo, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
58 SOLID
58
Optimistic
56
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,344
1-year post-graduation
ROI
24.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$638K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at CSU Channel Islands

This CSUCI Biology program clearly stands out, positioning its graduates for excellent career starts. Your advantageous location in Ventura County provides direct access to a robust Southern California job market, rich with opportunities in healthcare, agricultural science, and emerging biotech firms throughout the region. This strong local demand, coupled with the program's practical curriculum, likely creates a direct pipeline into roles like lab technicians, research assistants, and environmental specialists. Many graduates successfully transition into these roles, building crucial experience before pursuing advanced degrees or management positions. To maximize your potential, actively seek internships early and explore specializations in areas like biotechnology, bioinformatics, or medical technology to carve a distinct and resilient career path.

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
$577K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple21.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$638K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple23.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$649K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple23.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CSU Channel Islands'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 CSU Channel Islands 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 CSU Channel Islands

Other top programs at CSU Channel Islands

Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU Channel Islands, 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 CSU Channel Islands

What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biology at California State University-Channel Islands?

At 58/100, California State University-Channel Islands's Biology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Biology at California State University-Channel Islands?

The 40% 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.

Is California State University-Channel Islands one of the best schools for Biology?

Among 822 Biology programs, California State University-Channel Islands's #9 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.