Biology at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,056/yr (-38% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 19.2x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #320 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

The data indicates that graduates from this General Biology program typically experience a more challenging earnings trajectory compared to the national average for the major. This often reflects the regional labor market, where fewer large-scale biotech or pharmaceutical employers might be present. Many students pursue this broad degree as a foundational step towards further education in health professions or specialized graduate research, meaning your initial post-bachelor's earnings could be lower while you complete those additional programs. If immediate employment is your goal, securing internships early, specializing with minors in areas like bioinformatics or agricultural sciences, or focusing on applied laboratory skills will be crucial. Consider networking aggressively with local employers in healthcare, environmental, or educational sectors during your studies to understand specific regional opportunities and stand out.

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 $773K $754K $667K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.7x 19.2x 17.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.1x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,260
Out-of-state: $106,320 (7.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,004
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,296
13.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,609
227% growth from Year 1

About Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 18,092 in Mississippi State, MS.

See all programs and financial aid at Mississippi State University →

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

Biology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Mississippi State University

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 Mississippi State University?
A score of 41/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Biology at Mississippi State University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $22,296 against $20,056/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $666,529 in decade earnings vs $772,659 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Biology from Mississippi State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →