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Biology at Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $31,877/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk High (40% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

ROI 2.7x earnings multiple

Ranked #737 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	$588K	$581K	$532K
Earnings Multiple	2.7x	2.7x	2.5x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	45%	35%
DegreeOutlook Score	26	26	26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$217,240

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$107,580

50% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,105

9.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$58,180

83% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $31,877/yr, Biology graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College land near the $32,219 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 2.7x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Biology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $25,105 against $31,877/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #737 ranking among 822 Biology programs places Gustavus Adolphus College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $31,877-to-$58,180 earnings arc over five years reflects a 83% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus Adolphus College accepts 62% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,930 students in Saint Peter, MN. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $107,580 — 50% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus 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

What does a 26/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biology at Gustavus Adolphus College?

At 26/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Biology at Gustavus Adolphus College?

The 40% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

What do students actually pay for Biology at Gustavus Adolphus College?

The 50% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $217,240. At a net cost of $107,580, the earnings multiple improves substantially.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →