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Biology at Saint Francis University

Loretto, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,411/yr (-21% vs median)

AI Risk High (40% exposed)

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

ROI 2.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #798 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	$395K	$401K	$393K
Earnings Multiple	2.4x	2.4x	2.4x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	45%	35%
DegreeOutlook Score	23	22	23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$166,880

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$76,692

54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

12.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $25,411/yr fall 21% below the $32,219 national median for Biology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 against $25,411/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #798 of 822 Biology programs, Saint Francis University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,525 students in Loretto, PA. The average net cost of $76,692 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University?

A score of 22/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Biology at Saint Francis University worth the student debt?

Median debt of $27,000 against $25,411/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 $392,510 in decade earnings vs $394,629 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Biology from Saint Francis 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.

Is Saint Francis University a hidden gem for Biology?

After financial aid, the average student pays $76,692 over four years — 54% below the $166,880 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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