Biology at University of Dubuque

Dubuque, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,779/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #590 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 $627K $618K $561K
Earnings Multiple 3.9x 3.9x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$160,260
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$93,000
42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,811
98% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,779 track close to the $32,219 national median for Biology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

An earnings multiple of 3.9x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $31,779 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #590 of 822 Biology programs, University of Dubuque falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $62,811 show a 98% jump from the $31,779 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Dubuque

University of Dubuque has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,473 students in Dubuque, IA. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $93,000 over four years represents a 42% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Dubuque →

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

Biology at Other Schools

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at University of Dubuque?
A score of 32/100 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 $561,071 in decade earnings vs $627,172 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →