Biotechnologyat Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Graduates earn $40,141/yr in their first year — about 17.0% below the national Biotechnology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $477K; scenarios range from $452K to $476K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Studying biotechnology at CSU Fort Collins requires a clear understanding of the local and national job market. While Colorado boasts a growing biotech sector, many entry-level roles for a bachelor's degree holder, especially outside of major hubs like Boulder or Denver, can be research assistant or lab tech positions that don't command high salaries. The program, situated within a large public university, might also lean more academic or research-oriented, potentially delaying direct industry entry or requiring further education for upward mobility.
Your initial career path might involve foundational lab work, often within university research settings or smaller local companies. To counteract this, aggressively pursue internships with companies like Agilent, Tolmar, or larger pharma/biotech firms in the region. These experiences are critical for building a competitive resume and establishing a professional network that can lead to more lucrative opportunities post-graduation.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Colorado State University-Fort Collins's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Biotechnology
How Colorado State University-Fort Collins stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Biotechnology at Colorado State University-Fort Collins
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.