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Biology at St. Mary's University

San Antonio, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
24
Optimistic
23
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,104/yr (-38% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 4.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #791 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 $663K $652K $587K
Earnings Multiple 4.6x 4.5x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 23 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$144,968
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,408
41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
16.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,849
183% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $20,104 place St. Mary's University below the $32,219 national median for Biology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 4.5x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Biology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.3x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #791 ranking among 822 Biology programs places St. Mary's University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $20,104-to-$56,849 earnings arc over five years reflects a 183% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About St. Mary's University

St. Mary's University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 1,911 students in San Antonio, TX. 42% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. The average net cost of $85,408 over four years represents a 41% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at St. Mary's 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

Compare this program → View all 822 schools offering Biology →

Biology at Other Schools

University of San Diego ($54,223) Trinity College ($52,179) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($51,711) Edgewood College ($51,134) Shepherd University ($49,165) Roger Williams University ($47,799) Barnard College ($47,329) Curry College ($46,736)

Other Majors at St. Mary's University

Finance and Financial Management Services ($48,018) Marketing ($46,438) English Language and Literature, General ($39,752) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($39,105) Political Science and Government ($36,392) Criminology ($33,978) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($30,237) Psychology, General ($28,175)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biology at St. Mary's University?
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 St. Mary's University?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 16 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 St. Mary's University?
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 St. Mary's University a good choice for Biology despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If St. Mary's University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →