Biotechnology at James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,832/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Medium (18,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 of 18 Biotechnology programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biotechnology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $486K $486K $459K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.9x 9.0x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.9x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 37 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,304
Out-of-state: $123,160 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,264
-61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,832/yr, roughly in line with the $48,121 national median for Biotechnology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.0x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Biotechnology's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $41,832 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #15 of 18 Biotechnology programs, James Madison University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About James Madison University

James Madison University accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 20,497 students in Harrisonburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at James Madison University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
Biological science teachers, postsecondary $83,460/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biotechnology at James Madison University?
A score of 37/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biotechnology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biotechnology careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $458,900 in decade earnings vs $485,774 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →