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Biology at Colby College

Waterville, ME · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,597/yr (35% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 1.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #396 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 $496K $496K $466K
Earnings Multiple 1.9x 1.9x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 38 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$266,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,756
64% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,597 put Colby College's Biology program 35% above the national median of $32,219 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The financial case is thin at 1.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

At #396 of 822 Biology programs, Colby College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Colby College

Colby College's 7% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, a compact campus enrolling 2,282 students in Waterville, ME. The average net cost of $95,756 over four years represents a 64% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Colby College →

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

Compare this program → View all 822 schools offering Biology →

Biology at Other Schools

University of San Diego ($54,223) Trinity College ($52,179) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($51,711) Edgewood College ($51,134) Shepherd University ($49,165) Roger Williams University ($47,799) Barnard College ($47,329) Curry College ($46,736)

Other Majors at Colby College

Economics ($76,401) Political Science and Government ($54,353) Area Studies ($45,686) International/Global Studies ($42,756) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($42,326) Psychology, General ($40,842) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($28,216)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Colby College?
A score of 38/100 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 $466,114 in decade earnings vs $496,171 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Colby College a hidden gem for Biology?
After financial aid, the average student pays $95,756 over four years — 64% below the $266,400 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →