Home › Swarthmore College › Biology, General

Biology, General at Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $41,122/yr (28% vs median)

AI Risk High (40% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

ROI 2.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #413 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 50%

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	$640K	$630K	$571K
Earnings Multiple	2.6x	2.5x	2.3x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	45%	35%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	38	35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$249,648

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,744

70% less than sticker · See by income

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$69,485

69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Swarthmore College's Biology, General program earn $41,122/yr in their first year — 28% above the $32,219 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #413 of 822 Biology, General programs, Swarthmore College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $69,485 show a 69% jump from the $41,122 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College admits 7% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, a smaller institution with 1,627 students in Swarthmore, PA. The average net cost of $74,744 over four years represents a 70% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Swarthmore 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

Biology, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Swarthmore College

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology, General at Swarthmore College?

A score of 38/100 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 $570,582 in decade earnings vs $640,292 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Swarthmore College a hidden gem for Biology, General?

After financial aid, the average student pays $74,744 over four years — 70% below the $249,648 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 →