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Biology at Northern Michigan University

Marquette, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,818/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (40% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

ROI 10.8x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #530 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	$580K	$574K	$527K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.9x	10.8x	9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.7x	7.6x	7.0x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	45%	35%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	34	34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$53,216

Out-of-state: $75,200 (7.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$69,940

-31% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,624

11.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,276

102% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $26,818 per year, Biology graduates from Northern Michigan University earn below the $32,219 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 10.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,624 debt-to-$26,818 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #530 out of 822 programs, Northern Michigan University's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,818 to $54,276 over five years (102% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Northern Michigan University

Northern Michigan University accepts 70% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 6,425 in Marquette, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Michigan 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 Northern Michigan 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

How does Northern Michigan University's Biology program score?

This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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.

Why are Biology earnings lower at Northern Michigan University?

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

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →