Home Schools University of Rhode Island Cell Biology
Biological Sciences · Cell Biology Rank #5 of 39

Cell Biologyat University of Rhode Island

Graduates earn $46,814/yr in their first year — about 25.0% above the national Cell Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $694K; scenarios range from $608K to $706K depending on AI disruption.

Kingston, RI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
56
Optimistic
51
Pessimistic
Earnings
$46,814
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$694K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Rhode Island

The strong outcomes for URI's Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences program aren't just about rigorous academics; they reflect a smart alignment with regional industry. New England is a hotbed for biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical research, with companies and institutions constantly seeking talent in these foundational sciences. Your curriculum likely emphasizes critical lab skills and research methodologies, making you highly marketable for entry-level roles that quickly advance into specialized or managerial positions.

Given the high AI risk identified for this field, the program's success likely comes from preparing students for roles that require complex problem-solving, experimental design, and human oversight – skills AI can augment but not replace. Many graduates pursue further education, leveraging their strong undergraduate foundation for medical, dental, or PhD programs, which often lead to the higher-earning career paths listed. Focus on securing research internships early; practical experience and a strong network within the regional biotech cluster will be invaluable.

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
$608K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple9.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$694K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple10.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$706K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple10.8x
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 Cell 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
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
3
Biochemists and biophysicists
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$103,650/yr
Moderate
4
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
5
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
6
Microbiologists
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$87,330/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 Cell Biology

How University of Rhode Island stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$66K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Parker University
TX · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
6.7x
ROI
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.7x
ROI
California State University-San Marcos
CA · Public
62
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
22.4x
ROI
Top score
California State University-Northridge
CA · Public
63
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
26.6x
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.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Cell Biology at University of Rhode Island

How does University of Rhode Island's Cell Biology program score?

This program scores 56/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Cell Biology graduates.

How vulnerable is Cell Biology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Cell Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does University of Rhode Island rank so high for Cell Biology?

The #5 ranking out of 39 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.