Biology at Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,170/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #621 of 822 Biology, General programs

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 $619K $611K $555K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,448
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,432
76% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,500
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,851
74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Grinnell College's Biology graduates start at $37,170/yr — above the $32,219 national average, though not by a wide margin.

An earnings multiple of 2.4x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,500 in median debt clears quickly against $37,170 in annual earnings.

At #621 out of 822 programs, Grinnell College's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $37,170 to $64,851 over five years (74% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Grinnell College

Only 13% of applicants gain admission to Grinnell College, reflecting elite selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,705 students in Grinnell, IA. The average net cost of $62,432 over four years represents a 76% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Grinnell 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 Grinnell College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Grinnell College's Biology program score?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 40% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Biology at Grinnell College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $259,448, but the average net cost is $62,432 — a 76% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →