Biotechnology at University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,992/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Medium (18,700 openings/yr)
ROI 18.1x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 of 18 Biotechnology programs

Program Analysis

The data for UCF's Biotechnology program suggests a challenging path, largely reflecting Orlando's specific economic landscape. While the city is a vibrant hub for tourism and simulation, its biotech sector remains relatively nascent, meaning fewer direct entry-level opportunities or robust industry pipelines compared to established biotech clusters. This can make securing relevant internships or initial positions locally difficult, often pushing graduates towards roles outside their core specialization or requiring relocation to find a stronger market fit. Furthermore, many of the higher-paying career paths in biotechnology typically demand advanced degrees or significant experience beyond a bachelor's, and the high AI risk suggests certain foundational lab or data roles may be increasingly competitive. Your strategy must include aggressively pursuing internships, potentially outside Central Florida, and seriously considering graduate studies immediately post-bachelor's to enhance your competitiveness.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biotechnology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $456K $460K $439K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.9x 18.1x 17.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.1x 5.1x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$25,472
Out-of-state: $89,868 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,600
-67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,496
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings

About University of Central Florida

Admission to University of Central Florida is competitive, with 40% of applicants accepted, serving a student body of 59,095 in Orlando, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Central Florida →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
Biological science teachers, postsecondary $83,460/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biotechnology at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 38/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biotechnology at University of Central Florida?
At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biotechnology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Biotechnology at University of Central Florida?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of Central Florida a good choice for Biotechnology despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of Central Florida's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →