CollegeCostWise

Bachelor's · North Adams, Massachusetts

Is Biology, General at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back slowly: graduates typically recover the cost in about 7.3 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
$38,204
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$56,722
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
Not enough borrowers to report
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$48k (likely $48k – $64k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$13k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in MA
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
7.3 years (likely 4.2–18.6)
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
−$132k (likely −$244k – −$17k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
$50k (likely −$175k – $310k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
47%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Biology, General at other schools

🩺 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward health & medicine majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Psychology
  • AP Statistics

IB Higher Level

  • Biology HL
  • Chemistry HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.

Other majors at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Biology, General at other schools in Massachusetts