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Biological Sciences · Genetics Rank #9 of 11

Geneticsat Michigan State University

Graduates earn $26,713/yr in their first year — about 19.0% below the national Genetics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $631K; scenarios range from $564K to $644K depending on AI disruption.

East Lansing, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
29 AT RISK
30
Optimistic
30
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,713
1-year post-graduation
ROI
8.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$631K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Michigan State University

Embarking on a Genetics degree at Michigan State places you within a highly specialized, foundational scientific field. While your initial earning potential might appear modest compared to the national average for this niche, it's often a reflection of the regional labor market and the types of entry-level roles available in the Midwest, frequently in academic research or supporting roles within healthcare and agriculture, rather than the high-paying biotech startups found on the coasts. MSU's strong land-grant research emphasis provides excellent hands-on lab training, preparing you for rigorous scientific work.

The high AI risk for this field underscores the evolving nature of scientific discovery; much of the routine data analysis and lab automation is increasingly handled by sophisticated tools. This doesn't eliminate opportunities but shifts the demand towards professionals who can design experiments, interpret complex results, and manage projects. To maximize your long-term prospects and resilience, you'll want to seriously consider pursuing an advanced degree, like an MS or Ph.D., or a professional path like Genetic Counseling, which significantly elevates your specialization and earning power. Focus on developing interdisciplinary skills in bioinformatics or computational biology to thrive in this evolving 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
$564K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple8.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$631K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple9.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$644K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple10.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Genetics 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
Genetic counselors
+9.3% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$98,910/yr
High
4
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
5
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
6
Biological technicians
+3.5% 10-yr growth · 9,100 openings/yr
$52,000/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 Genetics

How Michigan State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
NH · Public
54
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
9.5x
ROI
University of California-Davis
CA · Public
51
DW Score
$41K
1-yr earn
11.8x
ROI
Purdue University-Main Campus
IN · Public
37
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
8.8x
ROI
University of Wisconsin-Madison
WI · Public
48
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
14.2x
ROI
Iowa State University
IA · Public
38
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
12.3x
ROI
Also at Michigan State University

Other top programs at Michigan State University

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

FAQ

Frequently asked about Genetics at Michigan State University

How does Michigan State University's Genetics program score?

This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Genetics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Genetics to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Genetics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Genetics earnings lower at Michigan State University?

Lower starting pay at Michigan State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.