Biology at Rust College
Holly Springs, MS · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,947/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk
High (40% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI
7.7x earnings multiple
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 | $419K | $424K | $410K |
| Earnings Multiple | 7.6x | 7.7x | 7.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 45% | 35% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 25 | 24 | 24 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$55,360
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,696
11.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,893
22% growth from Year 1
About Rust College
Rust College admits 35% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with a smaller student body of 428 in Holly Springs, MS. With 69% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $35,004 — 37% less than the list price.
See all programs and financial aid at Rust College →Top Career Paths
Natural sciences managers
$161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
$100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other
$93,330/yr
Compare & Explore
Biology at Other Schools
Other Majors at Rust College
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 Rust College's Biology program score?
This program scores 24/100 — 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 Rust College?
Lower starting pay at Rust College 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 →