Biologyat University of California-Berkeley
Graduates earn $36,642/yr in their first year — about 14.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $705K; scenarios range from $629K to $721K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Berkeley
Studying General Biology at UC Berkeley places you at the epicenter of a global biotech and life sciences hub. Your degree from this prestigious institution carries significant weight, not just for its academic rigor but for the unparalleled research opportunities and industry connections in the Bay Area. This environment naturally elevates career prospects, particularly given the proximity to leading biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies, and top-tier research institutions like UCSF. You'll find yourself well-prepared for roles in R&D, clinical research, or even management within these innovative sectors, often pursuing advanced degrees to specialize further. While the field faces evolving AI risks, Berkeley's strong foundation in quantitative methods and critical thinking helps you adapt to automation in lab work and data analysis. To truly maximize your outcome, actively seek out research assistant positions and internships early on; these experiences are crucial for leveraging the local ecosystem and building your professional network.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Berkeley's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Biology
How UC Berkeley stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Berkeley
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Berkeley, 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 →Frequently asked about Biology at UC Berkeley
How does University of California-Berkeley's Biology program score?
This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biology graduates.
How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 40% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.