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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #784 of 822

Biologyat Spelman College

Graduates earn $21,638/yr in their first year — about 33.0% below the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $587K; scenarios range from $537K to $593K depending on AI disruption.

Atlanta, GA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
23 AT RISK
24
Optimistic
23
Pessimistic
Earnings
$21,638
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$587K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Spelman College

The initial career earnings for Spelman Biology graduates often reflect a common path for students from strong liberal arts institutions, particularly HBCUs with a commitment to service and advanced study. Many pursue this major as a rigorous pre-medical or pre-graduate school track, leading to roles like research assistants or entry-level positions in public health or non-profits before pursuing an MD, PhD, or other professional degree. Your peers frequently transition into demanding graduate programs or medical school, which naturally delays higher earning potential. Spelman's strong academic foundation prepares you exceptionally well for these advanced studies and leadership roles within the sciences. If maximizing early income is your primary goal, consider supplementing your degree with specific technical certifications or actively seeking industry-focused internships to accelerate your entry into higher-paying private sector roles upon graduation.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$537K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple4.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$587K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple4.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$593K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple4.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Spelman College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Biology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
3
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
4
Life scientists, all other
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$87,800/yr
Low
5
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
6
Forensic science technicians
+12.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$67,440/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Biology

How Spelman College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of San Diego
CA · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
MA · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.5x
ROI
Edgewood College
WI · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Top score
Shepherd University
WV · Public
59
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
15.8x
ROI
Also at Spelman College

Other top programs at Spelman College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Spelman College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Biology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Biology at Spelman College

What does a 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biology at Spelman College?

At 23/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

What's the payoff timeline for a Biology degree from Spelman College?

At $26,000 in median debt, graduates carry 14 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.

Should I worry about AI if I study Biology at Spelman College?

The 40% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Spelman College a good choice for Biology despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Spelman College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.