Biology at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Norton, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
22
Optimistic
21
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,661/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #802 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 $654K $643K $581K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.6x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 21 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$248,320
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$123,736
50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,000
10.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,084
133% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $26,661 per year, Biology graduates from Wheaton College (Massachusetts) earn below the $32,219 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

An earnings multiple of 2.6x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,000 debt-to-$26,661 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #802 out of 822 programs, Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,661 to $62,084 over five years (133% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

With 71% of applicants admitted, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 1,744 students in Norton, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $123,736 — 50% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) →

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

Biology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s Biology program score?
This program scores 21/100 — 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.
Why are Biology earnings lower at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)?
Lower starting pay at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Biology at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) after financial aid?
Sticker price is $248,320, but the average net cost is $123,736 — a 50% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →