Biology at Luther College

Decorah, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
28
Optimistic
27
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,359/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #712 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 $645K $635K $574K
Earnings Multiple 3.2x 3.2x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 27 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$201,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$102,540
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,391
10.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,171
115% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,359/yr, Biology graduates from Luther College land near the $32,219 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 3.2x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Biology's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,391 represents roughly 11 months of the $29,359 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #712 of 822 Biology programs, Luther College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $63,171 show a 115% jump from the $29,359 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Luther College

With 73% of applicants admitted, Luther College prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 1,454 students in Decorah, IA. The average net cost of $102,540 over four years represents a 49% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Luther 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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Luther College?
A score of 27/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biology careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $573,958 in decade earnings vs $644,952 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →