Biology at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,958/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.3x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #284 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 $589K $582K $533K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.4x 11.3x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.3x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,584
Out-of-state: $135,004 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,328
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,902
79% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,958 track close to the $32,219 national median for Biology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.3x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $32,958 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #284 of 822 Biology programs, Colorado State University-Fort Collins scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $58,902 show a 79% jump from the $32,958 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State University-Fort Collins has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 25,148 students in Fort Collins, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado State University-Fort Collins →

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

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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 Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
A score of 42/100 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 $533,214 in decade earnings vs $588,741 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →