Biology at Francis Marion University
Florence, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings
$27,223/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk
High (40% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI
11.4x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
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 | $512K | $511K | $478K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.5x | 11.4x | 10.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.9x | 5.9x | 5.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 45% | 35% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 32 | 31 | 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)
$44,640
Out-of-state: $86,176 (5.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,343
70% growth from Year 1
About Francis Marion University
Francis Marion University accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 2,640 students in Florence, SC.
See all programs and financial aid at Francis Marion University →Top Career Paths
Natural sciences managers
$161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
$100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other
$93,330/yr
Compare & Explore
Biology at Other Schools
Other Majors at Francis Marion University
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 Francis Marion University?
A score of 31/100 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 $477,565 in decade earnings vs $511,972 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Biology from Francis Marion 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →