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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #69 of 822

Biologyat Northeastern University

Graduates earn $45,494/yr in their first year — about 41.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $833K; scenarios range from $728K to $857K depending on AI disruption.

Boston, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
51 AVERAGE
51
Optimistic
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$45,494
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$833K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Northeastern University

Your General Biology degree from Northeastern places you at the epicenter of a thriving biotech and pharmaceutical hub in Boston. The robust local labor market, teeming with companies like Moderna, Biogen, and countless research institutions, creates exceptional demand for skilled life scientists. Northeastern's renowned co-op program is a significant differentiator here, embedding you directly into these professional environments. This integrated work experience means you're not just graduating with a degree, but with a proven track record, professional networks, and practical skills that employers actively seek, often leading to full-time offers post-graduation. To maximize your competitive edge, strategically choose co-op placements that align with your long-term career interests and provide exposure to cutting-edge research or management responsibilities, directly mitigating potential AI disruption by building unique expertise.

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
$728K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$833K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple3.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$857K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple3.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Biology 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
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
4
Life scientists, all other
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$87,800/yr
Low
5
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
6
Forensic science technicians
+12.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$67,440/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 Biology

How Northeastern University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of San Diego
CA · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Same state (MA)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
MA · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.5x
ROI
Edgewood College
WI · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Top score
Shepherd University
WV · Public
59
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
15.8x
ROI
Also at Northeastern University

Other top programs at Northeastern University

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

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Biology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Biology at Northeastern University

How does Northeastern University's Biology program score?

This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biology graduates.

How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 40% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.