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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #24 of 822

Biologyat Westfield State University

Graduates earn $42,776/yr in their first year — about 33.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $592K; scenarios range from $541K to $599K depending on AI disruption.

Westfield, MA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
55 SOLID
55
Optimistic
52
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,776
1-year post-graduation
ROI
12.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$592K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Westfield State University

The strong earnings potential for Westfield State biology graduates points to a program effectively preparing you for in-demand roles, likely leveraging the robust healthcare and life sciences sectors in Massachusetts. While not directly in the Boston biotech hub, your degree provides a strong foundation for positions at regional medical centers like Baystate Health, or entry into specialized master's programs that lead to careers in clinical research, pharmaceutical sales, or laboratory management. The curriculum likely emphasizes practical lab skills and analytical thinking, which are highly valued in these fields, setting you up for roles that often require advanced degrees or certifications to reach top salary tiers. To truly capitalize on this, focus on gaining practical experience through internships and networking with alumni in your desired career path.

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
$541K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple11.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$592K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple12.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$599K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple12.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Westfield 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 Westfield 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
Same state (MA)
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 Westfield State University

Other top programs at Westfield State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Westfield 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 Westfield State University

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

A score of 55/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biology field.

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 $540,791 in decade earnings vs $599,191 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Westfield State University's Biology program stand out?

Ranked #24 of 822 programs nationally, Westfield State University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.