Biology at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Magnolia, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,044/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #688 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 $398K $405K $395K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.1x 10.3x 10.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.6x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,280
Out-of-state: $61,600 (6.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$63,776
-62% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,375
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's Biology graduates start at $26,044/yr, trailing the $32,219 national average by 19%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 10.3x 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 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,375 debt-to-$26,044 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #688 out of 822 programs, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's 67% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 2,865 students in Magnolia, AR. 45% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus →

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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's Biology program score?
This program scores 28/100 — 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?
Lower starting pay at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 →