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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #407 of 822

Biologyat Hamilton College

Graduates earn $43,639/yr in their first year — about 35.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $496K; scenarios range from $466K to $496K depending on AI disruption.

Clinton, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
38 AT RISK
38
Optimistic
34
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,639
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$496K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Hamilton College

Hamilton's rigorous liberal arts curriculum for Biology lays a strong foundation, explaining why its graduates consistently outperform national averages. This isn't just about scientific knowledge; it's about developing critical thinking, research, and communication skills highly valued across diverse sectors. Many students leverage this general biology background as a springboard into competitive graduate programs – whether it's medical school, a PhD in specialized biological fields, or other health professions – which naturally leads to higher earning potential down the line.

Given the common path to advanced degrees, you might find initial post-graduation earnings skewed if many peers are still in school or entry-level research. While the broader field faces evolving AI integration, Hamilton's emphasis on analytical depth prepares you for roles requiring complex problem-solving. Focus on gaining hands-on research experience and exploring interdisciplinary connections to position yourself for leadership in a rapidly changing scientific landscape.

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
$466K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple1.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$496K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple1.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$496K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple1.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Biology 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
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
3
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
4
Life scientists, all other
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$87,800/yr
Low
5
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
6
Forensic science technicians
+12.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$67,440/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 Biology

How Hamilton College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of San Diego
CA · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
MA · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.5x
ROI
Edgewood College
WI · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Top score
Shepherd University
WV · Public
59
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
15.8x
ROI
Also at Hamilton College

Other top programs at Hamilton College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Hamilton College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Biology at Hamilton College

What does a 38/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biology at Hamilton College?

At 38/100, 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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton College?

The 57% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $262,960. At a net cost of $113,256, the earnings multiple improves substantially.