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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #468 of 822

Biologyat Wayne State University

Graduates earn $21,716/yr in their first year — about 33.0% below the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $709K; scenarios range from $632K to $725K depending on AI disruption.

Detroit, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
36 AT RISK
37
Optimistic
36
Pessimistic
Earnings
$21,716
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$709K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Wayne State University

Your earnings outlook with a General Biology degree from Wayne State reflects a few key factors specific to the region and major. As a broad foundational science degree, many graduates either pursue advanced degrees in health professions (like medical or dental school) or research, or enter entry-level roles where further specialization or graduate study is almost essential for higher earning potential. Detroit's labor market, while diverse, may not offer as many high-paying direct-from-undergrad biology roles as major biotech hubs, meaning local opportunities might skew towards clinical support, lab tech roles in healthcare systems like Henry Ford or DMC, or education. To maximize your financial trajectory, consider this degree a robust stepping stone. You'll need to actively plan for post-baccalaureate education, secure specialized internships early on, or pursue a dual major or minor in a high-demand field like data science or bioinformatics to build a more competitive profile directly out of undergrad.

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
$632K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple11.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$709K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple12.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$725K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple12.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Wayne State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where 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
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
3
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
4
Life scientists, all other
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$87,800/yr
Low
5
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
6
Forensic science technicians
+12.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$67,440/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 Biology

How Wayne State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of San Diego
CA · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
MA · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.5x
ROI
Edgewood College
WI · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Top score
Shepherd University
WV · Public
59
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
15.8x
ROI
Also at Wayne State University

Other top programs at Wayne State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Wayne State 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Biology at Wayne State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Wayne State University?

A score of 36/100 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 $631,766 in decade earnings vs $724,700 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Biology from Wayne State University?

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.