Biology at Alabama A & M University

Alabama A&M's biology program starts graduates at just under $30,000—below both national and state medians—but shows strong momentum with 32% earnings growth by year four. That trajectory matters, especially when paired with manageable debt levels that rank in the 5th percentile nationally. At graduation, students owe nearly a full year's starting salary, but unlike many biology programs where early-career grads struggle to make loan payments, the rapid income progression here suggests most borrowers should be able to handle their obligations within a few years.

The real story is where this program sits within Alabama. At the 40th percentile statewide, it trails the state's top performers (Athens State and UAH both start graduates above $36,000), but it's competitive with mid-tier options and significantly outpaces what many private colleges deliver. For families considering this historically Black university—where nearly two-thirds of students receive Pell grants—the combination of relatively low debt and strong growth makes it a functional pathway into biology careers, even if immediate post-graduation earnings lag behind flagship options.

The practical calculus: if your student is admitted to UAH or Athens State, those programs offer $7,000-8,000 more in starting salary. But if Alabama A&M is the affordable option, the debt load won't be crushing, and the earnings curve suggests graduates who persist in the field will reach solid mid-career footing.