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Biological Sciences · Cell Biology Rank #12 of 39

Cell Biologyat Harvard University

Graduates earn $51,569/yr in their first year — about 38.0% above the national Cell Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $726K; scenarios range from $631K to $740K depending on AI disruption.

Cambridge, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
48 AVERAGE
49
Optimistic
43
Pessimistic
Earnings
$51,569
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$726K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Harvard University

Studying Cell Biology and Anatomical Sciences at Harvard places you directly within the global epicenter of life sciences innovation. Your foundational training here is exceptionally rigorous, preparing you for leadership roles in cutting-edge research and development. The deep connections to world-renowned institutions like the Broad Institute, Dana-Farber, and major biotech firms across Cambridge and Boston mean you're not just learning theory, but engaging with the very frontier of discovery. Graduates frequently pursue advanced degrees—MDs, PhDs—to lead research teams, drive drug discovery, or shape scientific policy. While certain routine analytical tasks within the field are evolving, your Harvard training emphasizes critical thinking and complex problem-solving, making you invaluable for strategic oversight and groundbreaking innovation. To truly maximize your trajectory, actively seek out interdisciplinary research opportunities that blend your biological expertise with computational or engineering skills.

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
$631K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$726K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$740K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Cell 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
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
3
Biochemists and biophysicists
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$103,650/yr
Moderate
4
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
5
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
6
Microbiologists
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$87,330/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 Cell Biology

How Harvard University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$66K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Parker University
TX · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
6.7x
ROI
California State University-San Marcos
CA · Public
62
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
22.4x
ROI
Top score
California State University-Northridge
CA · Public
63
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
26.6x
ROI
University of Rhode Island
RI · Public
56
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
11.3x
ROI
Also at Harvard University

Other top programs at Harvard University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Harvard University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Cell Biology at Harvard University

What does a 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Cell Biology at Harvard University?

At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Cell Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Cell Biology at Harvard University?

The 46% 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 Cell Biology at Harvard University?

The 72% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $236,304. At a net cost of $67,264, the earnings multiple improves substantially.