Biology at Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,945/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk
High (40% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI
12.8x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
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 | $591K | $585K | $535K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.9x | 12.8x | 11.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.5x | 5.4x | 5.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 45% | 35% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 41 | 40 | 41 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,744
Out-of-state: $108,000 (5.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,822
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,509
92% growth from Year 1
About Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University accepts 97% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 12,267 students in Bowling Green, KY.
See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky University →Top Career Paths
Natural sciences managers
$161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
$100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other
$93,330/yr
Compare & Explore
Biology at Other Schools
Other Majors at Western Kentucky University
Explore the Trade Alternative
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
How does Western Kentucky University's Biology program score?
This program scores 40/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →