Biology, General at Salem State University

Salem, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,670/yr (42% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.5x earnings multiple (8.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 1%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biology, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $658K $646K $583K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.7x 13.5x 12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.7x 8.5x 7.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,912
Out-of-state: $75,844 (8.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,764
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,500
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$73,807
62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Salem State University's Biology, General program earn $45,670/yr in their first year — 42% above the $32,219 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 13.5x 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 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,500 debt-to-$45,670 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #3 ranking out of 822 programs puts Salem State University in the top 1% for Biology, General. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

Earnings growth from $45,670 to $73,807 over five years (62% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Salem State University

Salem State University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,286 students in Salem, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Salem 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, General at Other Schools

Compare Biology, General

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Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Salem State University's Biology, General program score?
This program scores 60/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biology, General graduates.
How vulnerable is Biology, General to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology, General 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 does Salem State University rank so high for Biology, General?
The #3 ranking out of 822 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →