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Biotechnology at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,141/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Medium (18,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.3x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #16 of 18 Biotechnology programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biotechnology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $476K $477K $452K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.2x 9.3x 8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 32

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 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,328
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,386
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $40,141/yr fall 17% below the $48,121 national median for Biotechnology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

At 9.3x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $18,386 in median debt against $40,141 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #16 out of 18 programs, Colorado State University-Fort Collins's financial outcomes for Biotechnology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
Biological science teachers, postsecondary $83,460/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 18 schools offering Biotechnology →

Biotechnology at Other Schools

Worcester State University ($70,124) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($60,697) University of California-Davis ($59,156) Rutgers University-New Brunswick ($56,509) Utah Valley University ($52,118) University of New Hampshire-Main Campus ($50,276) University of New Hampshire at Manchester ($50,276) University of Houston ($49,916)

Other Majors at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($78,856) Construction Engineering Technologies ($78,423) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,038) Civil Engineering ($73,326) Information Science/Studies ($67,827) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($66,109) Chemical Engineering ($62,468) Mechanical Engineering ($60,720)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Biotechnology program score?
This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for Biotechnology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Biotechnology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biotechnology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Biotechnology earnings lower at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Lower starting pay at Colorado State University-Fort Collins may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →