Biologyat Upper Iowa University
Graduates earn $43,311/yr in their first year — about 34.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $494K; scenarios range from $465K to $495K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Upper Iowa University
The strong earnings data for Upper Iowa University's Biology program suggests a focused approach to career preparation, particularly given its general biology designation. Often, smaller programs in more rural settings excel by leveraging strong regional connections or by guiding students effectively into specific, high-demand pathways.
This could mean the program emphasizes practical lab skills, provides personalized mentorship crucial for graduate school applications (medical, dental, vet, or research PhDs), or has cultivated relationships with employers in Iowa's robust agricultural biotech, food science, or healthcare sectors. You might find graduates excelling in roles at research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, or leading scientific teams. The success likely stems from a combination of hands-on experience and tailored advising that helps students identify and pursue specialized niches where their skills are highly valued. To maximize your potential, actively seek out research opportunities and network with alumni to understand these specific career pipelines.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Upper Iowa University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Biology
How Upper Iowa University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Upper Iowa University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Upper Iowa University, 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 →Frequently asked about Biology at Upper Iowa University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Upper Iowa University?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $464,958 in decade earnings vs $494,577 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.