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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #557 of 822

Biologyat The University of Texas at El Paso

Graduates earn $22,167/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $582K; scenarios range from $533K to $588K depending on AI disruption.

El Paso, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
34 AT RISK
35
Optimistic
34
Pessimistic
Earnings
$22,167
1-year post-graduation
ROI
12.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$582K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at UTEP

The earnings data for this General Biology program reflects a regional labor market less concentrated in high-paying biotechnology or pharmaceutical research, which often drives higher salaries in other areas. El Paso's economy, while robust in healthcare and public sector roles, typically offers more entry-level positions for biology graduates in lab support, clinical assisting, or local government and academic research settings. These roles, while foundational, often start at a lower scale compared to those in major biotech hubs.

A general biology degree from UTEP provides a strong scientific foundation, but without immediate progression to specialized graduate programs like medical school, dentistry, or a PhD, your initial career trajectory might involve roles that don't yet align with the high-earning managerial or scientific positions listed. To unlock those higher earning potentials, actively seek out internships or research assistantships during your studies and strategically plan for post-baccalaureate education or specialized certifications to advance your expertise.

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
$533K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple13.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$582K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple14.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$588K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score35/100
Earnings Multiple15.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at UTEP

Other highest-scoring programs offered at UTEP, 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 UTEP

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at The University of Texas at El Paso?

A score of 34/100 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 $532,807 in decade earnings vs $588,178 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Biology from The University of Texas at El Paso?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.