Home › The College of Idaho › Biology

Biology at The College of Idaho

Caldwell, ID · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
26
Optimistic
25
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,460/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #757 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 $417K $422K $409K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.9x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 25 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$144,120
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$82,264
43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $29,460/yr, Biology graduates from The College of Idaho land near the $32,219 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The financial case is thin at 2.9x — 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's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 9 months of the $29,460 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #757 of 822 Biology programs, The College of Idaho falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About The College of Idaho

The College of Idaho accepts 47% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,049 in Caldwell, ID. The average net cost of $82,264 over four years represents a 43% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The College of Idaho →

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 The College of Idaho

Psychology, General ($34,904) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($33,611) Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General ($25,897)

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at The College of Idaho?
A score of 25/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biology careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $408,898 in decade earnings vs $417,237 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →