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Biology at University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,732/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 10.9x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #113 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 25%

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 (In-State) 11.1x 10.9x 9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.6x 4.5x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,520
Out-of-state: $137,352 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,556
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,599
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,628
79% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,732/yr, edging above the $32,219 national average for Biology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 10.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,599 debt-to-$36,732 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #113 out of 822 programs, University of Missouri-Columbia's Biology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $36,732 to $65,628 over five years (79% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Missouri-Columbia

University of Missouri-Columbia has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 23,118 in Columbia, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Missouri-Columbia →

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

Compare this program → View all 822 schools offering Biology →

Biology at Other Schools

University of San Diego ($54,223) Trinity College ($52,179) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($51,711) Edgewood College ($51,134) Shepherd University ($49,165) Roger Williams University ($47,799) Barnard College ($47,329) Curry College ($46,736)

Other Majors at University of Missouri-Columbia

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,400) Computer Engineering ($83,243) Industrial Engineering ($79,894) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($72,886) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($72,300) Mechanical Engineering ($71,800) Engineering, General ($70,366) Chemical Engineering ($69,950)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Missouri-Columbia's Biology program score?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Why does University of Missouri-Columbia rank so high for Biology?
The #113 ranking out of 822 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →