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Biological Sciences · Cell Biology Rank #8 of 39

Cell Biologyat University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Graduates earn $42,075/yr in their first year — about 13.0% above the national Cell Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $578K; scenarios range from $524K to $583K depending on AI disruption.

Seattle, WA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
49 AVERAGE
50
Optimistic
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,075
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$578K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Washington

The University of Washington's program excels by leveraging its position within Seattle's dynamic biotech and healthcare ecosystem. Employers like Fred Hutch, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and numerous biopharma startups actively recruit from UW, valuing the program's rigorous research focus and the talent pool it cultivates. This degree serves as an excellent foundation for careers in scientific research, often as a stepping stone to advanced degrees like PhDs or professional programs, which open doors to managerial, principal investigator, or academic roles.

While some routine lab procedures may see increasing automation, this program's emphasis on critical thinking, experimental design, and complex data interpretation equips you with irreplaceable skills. To truly thrive, lean into research experiences, seek internships early, and consider how graduate studies can further specialize your expertise and future-proof your career in this 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
$524K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple10.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$578K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple11.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$583K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple11.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Washington

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Washington, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Cell Biology at University of Washington

What does a 49/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Cell Biology at University of Washington-Seattle Campus?

At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Cell Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Cell Biology at University of Washington-Seattle Campus?

The 46% 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.

Is University of Washington-Seattle Campus one of the best schools for Cell Biology?

Among 39 Cell Biology programs, University of Washington-Seattle Campus's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.