Biology at Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,179/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 10.1x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #141 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 25%

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 $606K $599K $546K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.3x 10.1x 9.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.3x 6.2x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,064
Out-of-state: $96,504 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,636
4% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,486
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,209
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Montclair State University's Biology graduates start at $37,179/yr — above the $32,219 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology programs nationally.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,486 represents roughly 8 months of the $37,179 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #141 of 822 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $63,209 show a 70% jump from the $37,179 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Montclair State University

A 87% acceptance rate means Montclair State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 17,677 students in Montclair, NJ. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Montclair 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 Montclair State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Montclair State University?
A score of 47/100 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 $545,820 in decade earnings vs $606,134 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Montclair State University's Biology program stand out?
Ranked #141 of 822 programs nationally, Montclair State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →