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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #738 of 822

Biologyat Delta State University

Graduates earn $20,823/yr in their first year — about 35.0% below the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $377K; scenarios range from $374K to $369K depending on AI disruption.

Cleveland, MS Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
26 AT RISK
27
Optimistic
26
Pessimistic
Earnings
$20,823
1-year post-graduation
ROI
5.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$377K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Delta State University

The earnings data for Delta State's General Biology program reflects the realities of pursuing a broad science degree in a regional market. Cleveland, MS, and the surrounding Mississippi Delta, offers a more localized job landscape, primarily in healthcare support roles, agricultural services, or K-12 education, rather than large-scale biotech or pharmaceutical research hubs that drive higher salaries in other regions. Your foundational biology knowledge is valuable, but graduates often find entry-level positions that don't require advanced specialization, or they pursue further education. For careers like medical scientist or natural sciences manager, a bachelor's degree typically serves as a stepping stone to graduate school or professional programs. If your goal is to access those higher-paying career paths, you must strategically plan for advanced degrees or seek internships outside the immediate region to gain specialized experience.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$374K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score26/100
Earnings Multiple10.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$377K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score26/100
Earnings Multiple11.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$369K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple10.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Delta State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Biology graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
3
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
4
Life scientists, all other
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$87,800/yr
Low
5
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
6
Forensic science technicians
+12.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$67,440/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Biology

How Delta State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of San Diego
CA · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
MA · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.5x
ROI
Edgewood College
WI · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Top score
Shepherd University
WV · Public
59
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
15.8x
ROI
Also at Delta State University

Other top programs at Delta State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Delta State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Biology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Biology at Delta State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Delta State University?

A score of 26/100 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 $373,942 in decade earnings vs $369,013 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Biology from Delta State University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.