Biology at Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,565/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk
High (40% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI
13.1x earnings multiple (5.2x 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 | $508K | $507K | $475K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 13.1x | 13.1x | 12.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.2x | 5.2x | 4.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 45% | 35% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 40 | 39 | 39 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,848
Out-of-state: $97,248 (5.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,500
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,041
48% growth from Year 1
About Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mesa University accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 7,604 in Grand Junction, CO.
See all programs and financial aid at Colorado Mesa University →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
Other Majors at Colorado Mesa 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 Colorado Mesa University's Biology program score?
This program scores 39/100 — 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 →