Biological & Physical Sciences at Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biological and Physical Sciences
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,525/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (28% exposed)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)
ROI 8.2x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 26 Biological and Physical Sciences programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

Grand Valley's Biological and Physical Sciences program stands out, reflecting its strong regional reputation and effective preparation for diverse careers. The university's location in West Michigan provides unique advantages, with a robust healthcare industry, a strong manufacturing base that increasingly relies on advanced materials and scientific R&D, and environmental consulting firms. This creates a consistent demand for graduates with a solid scientific foundation. Many students leverage GVSU's practical lab experiences and strong faculty connections to secure internships at local companies like Perrigo, Dow Chemical, or within health systems such as Corewell Health, which often translate into full-time roles or provide valuable experience for graduate school. The broad nature of this degree means you'll develop versatile analytical and problem-solving skills highly valued across various sectors. To maximize your post-graduation prospects, actively seek out research opportunities and internships early in your academic journey to specialize your skill set and build professional connections.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biological & Physical Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $481K $481K $457K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.2x 8.2x 7.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.8x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 49% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,512
Out-of-state: $83,280 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,384
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,679
5% growth from Year 1

About Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University has a 95% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 19,073 in Allendale, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Grand Valley State University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biological & Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Grand Valley State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Grand Valley State University's Biological & Physical Sciences program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Biological & Physical Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →