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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #679 of 822

Biologyat University of Notre Dame

Graduates earn $32,876/yr in their first year — about 2.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $653K; scenarios range from $588K to $664K depending on AI disruption.

Notre Dame, IN Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
29 AT RISK
30
Optimistic
29
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,876
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$653K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Notre Dame

A Notre Dame Biology degree provides a robust scientific foundation, leveraging the university's strong academic reputation and extensive alumni network. While the "general" nature of this program means immediate post-graduation salaries for a bachelor's alone might not initially outpace some specialized fields, it's often a strategic springboard. Many graduates use this degree as a direct pathway into demanding professional programs like medical, dental, or veterinary school, or pursue advanced research via a Ph.D., where the real earning potential and career depth are unlocked.

The listed career paths, like medical or biological scientists, strongly indicate that further education is a common and often necessary step for these roles. Given the high AI risk identified, focusing your studies on critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and advanced research methodologies – skills less susceptible to automation – will be crucial. Consider coupling your biology studies with strong quantitative skills or a minor in a complementary field like data science to enhance your long-term career resilience and marketability in a rapidly evolving scientific landscape.

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
$588K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$653K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$664K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Notre Dame'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 University of Notre Dame 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 University of Notre Dame

Other top programs at University of Notre Dame

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Notre Dame, 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 University of Notre Dame

What does a 29/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biology at University of Notre Dame?

At 29/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Biology at University of Notre Dame?

The 40% 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.

What do students actually pay for Biology at University of Notre Dame?

The 56% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $250,772. At a net cost of $111,292, the earnings multiple improves substantially.