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Biological Sciences · Biology Rank #465 of 822

Biologyat Williams College

Graduates earn $41,213/yr in their first year — about 28.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $484K; scenarios range from $456K to $483K depending on AI disruption.

Williamstown, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
36 AT RISK
37
Optimistic
33
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,213
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.6x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$484K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Williams College

Your Williams Biology degree provides a robust foundation, not just in scientific principles, but in critical thinking and complex problem-solving—skills highly prized in competitive fields. This rigorous preparation, coupled with Williams's institutional prestige and strong alumni network, funnels many graduates directly into top-tier graduate programs or research roles. While Williamstown isn't a biotech hub, the program excels at preparing you for advanced study, which is often a prerequisite for the high-earning scientific and management careers listed. Your education will emphasize transferable analytical skills, positioning you well even as AI reshapes certain tasks within the field. To fully leverage this, prioritize securing significant research experience with faculty and engaging deeply with the career services team to explore graduate school pathways or specialized industry opportunities from day one.

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
$456K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score33/100
Earnings Multiple1.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$484K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple1.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$483K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple1.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Williams College'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 Williams College 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 Williams College

Other top programs at Williams College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Williams College, 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 Williams College

What does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biology at Williams College?

At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Biology at Williams College?

The 40% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

What do students actually pay for Biology at Williams College?

The 77% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $259,440. At a net cost of $59,408, the earnings multiple improves substantially.