Biology at Wartburg College

Waverly, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,398/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #499 of 822 Biology, General programs

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 $682K $669K $601K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.3x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$204,160
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$90,416
56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,681
105% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,398 per year, Biology graduates from Wartburg College earn slightly above the $32,219 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 3.3x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$34,398 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #499 out of 822 programs, Wartburg College's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $34,398 to $70,681 over five years (105% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Wartburg College

With 99% of applicants admitted, Wartburg College prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 1,446 students in Waverly, IA. The average net cost of $90,416 over four years represents a 56% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Wartburg College →

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 Wartburg College

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

How does Wartburg College's Biology program score?
This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 40% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Biology at Wartburg College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $204,160, but the average net cost is $90,416 — a 56% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →