Biology at Barnard College

Barnard's biology program reports first-year earnings of $47,329—nearly $15,000 above New York's median and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide. That's competitive with Hamilton College and well ahead of Columbia, though you should know these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, making them less reliable than data from larger programs.

The debt picture looks remarkably favorable at $16,635, roughly a third of the typical biology graduate's burden in New York. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35, most graduates could reasonably pay this off within two years while building toward medical school, research positions, or other graduate programs that biology majors typically pursue. The 8% admission rate and 1500 average SAT suggest this program serves highly capable students who may have strong career networks and graduate school prospects beyond what raw earnings capture.

The caveat matters here: small sample sizes can swing wildly year to year based on whether a handful of graduates went directly to graduate stipends (lowering earnings) or landed competitive lab positions. For a student committed to biology and capable of Barnard's selectivity, the combination of strong outcomes and manageable debt suggests good value, but understand you're looking at a snapshot that may not repeat precisely. The real question is whether your child would thrive at a selective women's college in Manhattan—if so, the financial risk appears minimal.