Biology at Allegheny College

Allegheny's biology program demonstrates something increasingly rare: strong income growth that transforms a modest starting salary into solid mid-career earnings. While graduates earn $35,620 in their first year—close to Pennsylvania's median—their incomes jump 68% to nearly $60,000 by year four. That trajectory suggests many graduates successfully transition into graduate programs, healthcare positions, or research roles where biology credentials pay off.

The $27,000 debt load sits right at both state and national medians, yielding a manageable 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates can handle even during that lower-earning first year. Within Pennsylvania, this program performs solidly at the 60th percentile, though it trails schools like Lehigh and Holy Family whose graduates start stronger. The moderate sample size means these figures represent real outcomes, not statistical noise.

For families evaluating biology programs, Allegheny offers a reasonable bet if your student plans to leverage the degree strategically—think medical school preparation, research lab positions, or healthcare graduate programs. The early earnings lag matters less when the four-year outlook nearly doubles income. Just understand that first year will require financial discipline, and this program won't shortcut the typical biology career path that rewards additional training beyond the bachelor's degree.