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Biological & Physical Sciencesat Grand Valley State University

Graduates earn $44,525/yr in their first year — about 22.0% above the national Biological & Physical Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $481K; scenarios range from $457K to $481K depending on AI disruption.

Allendale, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
43 AVERAGE
43
Optimistic
43
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,525
1-year post-graduation
ROI
7.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$481K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
39% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Grand Valley State University

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.

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
$457K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple7.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$481K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple8.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$481K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple8.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Biological & Physical Sciences 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
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
3
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/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 Biological & Physical Sciences

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

Highest earnings
University of Notre Dame
IN · Private nonprofit
54
DW Score
$75K
1-yr earn
2.4x
ROI
Top score
Thomas Edison State University
NJ · Public
70
DW Score
$69K
1-yr earn
26.3x
ROI
Washington State University
WA · Public
57
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
12.3x
ROI
Indiana University-Kokomo
IN · Public
46
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
11.7x
ROI
University of Oregon
OR · Public
50
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
10.6x
ROI
Also at Grand Valley State University

Other top programs at Grand Valley State University

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

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Biological & Physical Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Biological & Physical Sciences at Grand Valley State University

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.