Biology at West Liberty University

West Liberty, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,559/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.1x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #612 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 $418K $423K $409K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.0x 12.1x 11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.2x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,928
Out-of-state: $68,464 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,180
-87% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,076
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,559/yr, roughly in line with the $32,219 national median for Biology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.1x 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 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,076 represents roughly 9 months of the $29,559 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #612 of 822 Biology programs, West Liberty University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About West Liberty University

West Liberty University accepts 72% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,578 students in West Liberty, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Liberty University →

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

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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at West Liberty University?
A score of 32/100 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 $409,299 in decade earnings vs $417,790 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →