Biology

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$34,773

Median Earnings

$57,754

Schools Offering

913

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $51,290Median: $57,75475th: $64,110

Best Schools for Biology by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Carlow University PA · Private	45	$134,677	$20,786	$27,000	D
2	Providence College RI · Private	76	$93,757	$48,523	$27,000	C
3	Seton Hall University NJ · Private	73	$93,200	$31,446	$21,500	D
4	College of the Holy Cross MA · Private	85	$92,914	$38,782	$27,000	C
5	University of Detroit Mercy MI · Private	84	$91,888	$15,232	$21,500	F
6	Yeshiva University NY · Private	67	$90,456	$49,965	$20,500	D
7	Ohio Dominican University OH · Private	35	$90,431	$20,079	$27,000	D
8	Marquette University WI · Private	83	$88,921	$31,487	$25,296	D
9	Union College NY · Private	85	$87,208	$34,561	$24,500	B+
10	Dartmouth College NH · Private	95	$87,026	$29,519	$17,030	C+
11	Bucknell University PA · Private	87	$85,687	$40,766	$26,672	C
12	Assumption University MA · Private	77	$83,706	$29,498	$27,000	C
13	Boston College MA · Private	92	$83,614	$41,704	$19,000	C+
14	Muhlenberg College PA · Private	74	$83,215	$28,905	$24,388	D
15	Duke University NC · Private	96	$83,192	$29,612	$12,500	B
16	Auburn University AL · Public	76	$83,053	$24,323	$23,750	F
17	University of the Pacific CA · Private	85	$83,012	$25,447	$21,500	F
18	Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia PA · Private	86	$82,769	$29,689	$26,228	D
19	Lafayette College PA · Private	92	$82,109	$34,433	$17,000	B
20	Marist University NY · Private	74	$81,936	$41,544	$26,000	D
21	Stonehill College MA · Private	80	$81,361	$33,016	$27,000	C
22	University of Rhode Island RI · Public	79	$80,379	$21,440	$24,215	C+
23	Loyola Marymount University CA · Private	72	$80,317	$48,381	$24,625	F
24	New York Institute of Technology NY · Private	73	$80,208	$22,443	$19,500	D
25	Merrimack College MA · Private	70	$79,581	$37,927	$27,000	C
26	University of California-Berkeley CA · Public	97	$79,163	$13,481	$14,000	B
27	Southern Methodist University TX · Private	79	$78,466	$40,892	$22,125	C
28	Northeastern University MA · Private	91	$78,327	$30,915	$25,000	C
29	Misericordia University PA · Private	57	$78,107	$37,485	$27,000	B+
30	Loyola University Maryland MD · Private	83	$77,861	$30,574	$27,000	D
31	Clarkson University NY · Private	88	$77,791	$30,305	$27,000	C
32	Le Moyne College NY · Private	70	$77,609	$22,277	$27,000	D
33	Georgetown University DC · Private	93	$77,132	$40,815	$17,500	C+
34	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus NH · Public	74	$77,076	$23,805	$27,000	C
35	University of New Hampshire at Manchester NH · Public	77	$77,076	$9,992	$27,000	C
36	Tufts University MA · Private	86	$76,782	$39,998	$16,250	B
37	University of Massachusetts-Lowell MA · Public	76	$76,149	$17,163	$26,747	C
38	DeSales University PA · Private	56	$76,125	$31,643	$27,000	C
39	Mount St. Mary's University MD · Private	68	$76,062	$22,655	$25,000	B+
40	Adelphi University NY · Private	75	$75,921	$30,783	$25,000	D
41	Dominican University of California CA · Private	81	$75,913	$35,333	$27,000	C
42	Westmont College CA · Private	65	$75,889	$29,053	$23,250	D
43	Touro University NY · Private	50	$75,886	$29,627	$20,000	D
44	Mount Saint Mary College NY · Private	67	$75,798	$25,522	N/A	-
45	Barnard College NY · Private	90	$75,696	$28,800	$16,635	B
46	Lehigh University PA · Private	93	$75,611	$36,931	$23,128	C+
47	The College of New Jersey NJ · Public	83	$75,531	$27,646	$19,500	D
48	Worcester Polytechnic Institute MA · Private	90	$75,018	$43,071	$26,999	C+
49	Felician University NJ · Private	40	$74,746	$40,045	$30,500	F
50	University of Delaware DE · Public	86	$74,535	$17,799	$25,261	C

School-by-school analysis: Biology

Editorial breakdowns of how biology graduates fare at the top-earning programs in our dataset.

University of Detroit Mercy

MI · Private · $91,888 4yr earnings · $21,500 median debt

Biology (141 graduates) earns $19,882 year-one and $91,888 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.081 (ROI grade F). The F grade reflects the technical debt-to-earnings calculation at year-one earnings of $19,882. This is almost certainly a pre-med cohort: $19,882 year-one is consistent with medical residents or students in post-baccalaureate programs, and $91,888 year-four suggests completion of MD/DO programs and entry into residency or early-career practice. The F grade on this program should be interpreted with that context.

Yeshiva University

NY · Private · $90,456 4yr earnings · $20,500 median debt

Biology graduates 76 students per year. Median first-year earnings of just $21,104 against $20,500 of debt produce a 0.971 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D ROI grade. But four-year earnings rocket up to $90,456 -- one of the strongest four-year recoveries in our database, indicating that Yeshiva biology graduates progress in large numbers to medical, dental, and other professional schools. For students firmly on the pre-med track, this is a strong fit; the bachelor's alone is weak.

Ohio Dominican University

OH · Private · $90,431 4yr earnings · $27,000 median debt

Biology produces 22 graduates with $38,548 first-year earnings rising sharply to $90,431 by year four -- a striking trajectory likely reflecting medical/dental/PA school graduates entering practice. Debt of $27,000 against year-one earnings produces a 0.7 ratio and a D grade by the formula, but the underlying career path is potentially much stronger than the headline grade suggests. Biology at ODU pencils only for students committed to graduate-level health professions.

Marquette University

WI · Private · $88,921 4yr earnings · $25,296 median debt

Biology is Marquette's largest program at 221 graduates but shows the weakest near-term earnings: $28,555 year-one and $88,921 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.886 (ROI grade D). The near-zero year-one earnings reflect students entering medical, dental, or graduate school immediately after graduation -- the four-year jump to $89k is substantial but deferred. Students choosing Biology should understand they are accepting low near-term earnings and additional years of professional training before reaching the four-year projection.

Below Average Value

Is Biology Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

The financial returns for Biology are below average. At $34,773 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.

With 913 schools offering this major, you have significant choice. That's good news - it means you can shop for the best ROI within the field rather than settling for whatever program accepts you.

The top school for this major by earnings is Union College, where graduates earn $87,208 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Biology All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Related Majors

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Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.