Biology at Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
34
Optimistic
34
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings
$31,765/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk
High (40% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI
10.5x 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 | $430K | $434K | $418K |
| Earnings Multiple | 10.4x | 10.5x | 10.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 45% | 35% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 34 | 34 | 34 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$41,216
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,500
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
About Southwest Minnesota State University
Southwest Minnesota State University accepts 69% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 2,045 students in Marshall, MN.
See all programs and financial aid at Southwest Minnesota 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
Compare & Explore
Biology at Other Schools
Other Majors at Southwest Minnesota State 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
How does Southwest Minnesota State University's Biology program score?
This program scores 34/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →