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Biology at Westmont College

Santa Barbara, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,635/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #730 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 $424K $428K $414K
Earnings Multiple 2.0x 2.1x 2.0x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$207,160
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$131,704
36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $30,635/yr, Biology graduates from Westmont College land near the $32,219 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The financial case is thin at 2.1x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 $23,250 represents roughly 9 months of the $30,635 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #730 of 822 Biology programs, Westmont College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Westmont College

With 80% of applicants admitted, Westmont College prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 1,310 students in Santa Barbara, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $131,704 over four years — 36% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Westmont 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

Compare this program → View all 822 schools offering Biology →

Biology at Other Schools

University of San Diego ($54,223) Trinity College ($52,179) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($51,711) Edgewood College ($51,134) Shepherd University ($49,165) Roger Williams University ($47,799) Barnard College ($47,329) Curry College ($46,736)

Other Majors at Westmont College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($83,026) Business/Managerial Economics ($54,457) Communication and Media Studies ($41,225) English Language and Literature, General ($37,806) Psychology, General ($34,826) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($27,708)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at Westmont College?
A score of 26/100 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 $413,652 in decade earnings vs $423,798 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →