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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #15 of 822

Biologyat University of Rhode Island

Graduates earn $45,846/yr in their first year — about 42.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $654K; scenarios range from $589K to $666K depending on AI disruption.

Kingston, RI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
57 SOLID
57
Optimistic
53
Pessimistic
Earnings
$45,846
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$654K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Rhode Island

The strong outcomes for URI Biology graduates aren't just a fluke; they reflect a strategic advantage. You're entering a program situated in a vibrant life sciences corridor, with Boston's biotech and pharmaceutical hub just a short distance away, alongside growing regional companies in southern New England. This proximity means abundant opportunities for internships, research experiences, and eventually, high-paying roles as scientists, researchers, and managers in these competitive industries. URI's reputation as a public research institution likely equips you with the robust analytical and lab skills employers in this market demand, preparing you for advanced roles. To truly capitalize on this, actively seek out research opportunities from day one and pursue internships that align with your career interests, as these experiences are critical for opening doors to the most lucrative career paths.

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
$589K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple9.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$654K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple10.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$666K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple10.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Rhode Island

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at University of Rhode Island?

A score of 57/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biology field.

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 $589,083 in decade earnings vs $665,815 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Rhode Island's Biology program stand out?

Ranked #15 of 822 programs nationally, University of Rhode Island lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.