Biology at University of South Alabama

Mobile, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,950/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 16.1x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #340 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 50%

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 $634K $625K $566K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.4x 16.1x 14.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.5x 8.4x 7.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,704
Out-of-state: $74,608 (8.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,568
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
12.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,484
129% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,950 place University of South Alabama below the $32,219 national median for Biology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Biology's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 against $25,950/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.0 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

At #340 of 822 Biology programs, University of South Alabama scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $59,484 show a 129% jump from the $25,950 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of South Alabama

A 65% admission rate makes University of South Alabama accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a mid-sized student body of 8,540 in Mobile, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Alabama →

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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of South Alabama

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at University of South Alabama?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Biology at University of South Alabama worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,000 against $25,950/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $566,170 in decade earnings vs $634,206 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Biology from University of South Alabama?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →