Biology, General at University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $54,223/yr (68% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #180 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, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $604K $597K $544K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.6x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$225,776
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$125,060
45% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,118
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,950
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $54,223 per year, Biology, General graduates from University of San Diego significantly outpace the $32,219 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Biology, General's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $23,118 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #180 of 822 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $54,223 to $68,950 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of San Diego

University of San Diego accepts 47% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving 5,619 students in San Diego, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $125,060 over four years — 45% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of San Diego →

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, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of San Diego

Consider the Trade Route?

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology, General at University of San Diego?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biology, General careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $544,264 in decade earnings vs $603,985 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of San Diego's Biology, General program stand out?
Ranked #180 of 822 programs nationally, University of San Diego lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →