Biology at Dalton State College

Dalton, GA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,839/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 39.2x earnings multiple (12.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #183 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 25%

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 $516K $515K $481K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 39.3x 39.2x 36.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.7x 12.6x 11.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$13,132
Out-of-state: $40,756 (12.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$18,776
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,454
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,533
57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,839 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 39.2x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

At $8,454 in median debt against $30,839 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #183 of 822 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $48,533 show a 57% jump from the $30,839 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Dalton State College

a smaller institution with 4,419 students in Dalton, GA. With 50% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Dalton State 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

Biology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Dalton State College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Dalton State College?
A score of 45/100 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 $480,768 in decade earnings vs $516,388 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Dalton State College's Biology program stand out?
Ranked #183 of 822 programs nationally, Dalton State College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →