Biology at Baylor University

Baylor biology graduates start at just $24,408—landing in the 5th percentile nationally and trailing the Texas state median by nearly $6,000. That's a rough start for a program at a selective private university with $23,850 in debt. Even within Texas, this program ranks in just the 25th percentile, performing well behind state schools like Texas State ($34,516) and regional competitors like University of Mary Hardin-Baylor ($36,637).

The silver lining? Earnings nearly double by year four, jumping to $47,072. That 93% growth rate suggests many graduates eventually move into higher-paying positions—potentially in healthcare, research, or graduate programs that boost earning power. But that year-one figure is concerning for anyone who needs to start making loan payments immediately. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.98 means graduates owe nearly a full year's salary right out of the gate, creating real financial strain during those critical early years.

For families banking on Baylor's brand name to translate into strong biology outcomes, these numbers tell a different story. If your student is considering medical school or graduate programs where that first job is just a stepping stone, the trajectory improves. But if they're planning to work straight through with a bachelor's degree, this program underdelivers compared to what's available across Texas—often at lower cost.