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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #43 of 822

Biologyat The University of Montana

Graduates earn $43,914/yr in their first year — about 36.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $510K; scenarios range from $477K to $511K depending on AI disruption.

Missoula, MT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
53 AVERAGE
54
Optimistic
50
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,914
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$510K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Montana

The strong earnings outcomes for University of Montana Biology graduates reflect the unique professional landscape of the Northern Rockies. This isn't merely about a broad science degree; it's about applying biological knowledge to the specific environmental, conservation, and health challenges prevalent in the region. Many alumni find robust career paths with federal and state agencies, environmental consulting firms, or local healthcare and research facilities, where a deep understanding of regional ecosystems and hands-on fieldwork is highly valued. The university's reputation and connections often funnel graduates into specialized roles, including those in management or advanced research, which command higher compensation. To capitalize on this, you should actively pursue internships with regional employers and engage with faculty research projects to develop a specialized skillset early in your academic journey.

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
$477K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple14.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$510K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple15.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$511K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple15.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Montana'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 University of Montana 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 University of Montana

Other top programs at University of Montana

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Montana, 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 University of Montana

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at The University of Montana?

A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biology field.

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 $476,678 in decade earnings vs $510,746 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes The University of Montana's Biology program stand out?

Ranked #43 of 822 programs nationally, The University of Montana lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.