Biology at California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
56
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,192/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk
High (40% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI
20.8x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
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 | $643K | $633K | $573K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 21.2x | 20.8x | 18.8x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 8.3x | 8.1x | 7.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 45% | 35% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 56 | 56 | 54 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,408
Out-of-state: $77,928 (8.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,900
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,859
82% growth from Year 1
About California State University-Sacramento
A 94% acceptance rate means California State University-Sacramento is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 27,867 in Sacramento, CA. 49% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Sacramento →Top Career Paths
Natural sciences managers
$161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
$100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other
$93,330/yr
Compare & Explore
Biology at Other Schools
Compare Biology
Other Majors at California State University-Sacramento
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at California State University-Sacramento?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biology field.
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 $572,694 in decade earnings vs $643,206 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Sacramento's Biology program stand out?
Ranked #17 of 822 programs nationally, California State University-Sacramento lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →