Biology, General at Smith College

Northampton, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
24
Optimistic
24
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,747/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #768 of 822 Biology, General programs

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 $510K $509K $476K
Earnings Multiple 2.1x 2.1x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 24 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$246,272
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$104,724
57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,329
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $32,747/yr, Biology, General graduates from Smith College land near the $32,219 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The financial case is thin at 2.1x — 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, General's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $32,747 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #768 of 822 Biology, General programs, Smith College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $32,747 to $48,329 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Smith College

A 20% acceptance rate puts Smith College in competitive admissions territory, with a smaller student body of 2,501 in Northampton, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $104,724 — 57% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Smith College →

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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology, General at Smith College?
A score of 24/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biology, General careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $475,873 in decade earnings vs $509,635 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Smith College a hidden gem for Biology, General?
After financial aid, the average student pays $104,724 over four years — 57% below the $246,272 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 →