Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences at Bradley University

Peer programs in cellular biology at private universities suggest Bradley's graduates carry around $17,500 in debt—meaningfully less than the $20,422 national median and well below Illinois' $22,250 average for this major. That's the good news. The challenge comes with first-year earnings that national data suggest hover around $35,393, which tracks closely with what graduates from similar programs typically earn but leaves limited financial breathing room in those crucial early career years.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 falls within reasonable bounds for a science degree, particularly one that often serves as a stepping stone to graduate or professional programs. Many cellular biology graduates pursue medical school, research positions, or specialized graduate work where that bachelor's degree functions more as a prerequisite than a career endpoint. If your child plans to continue their education immediately, these estimated figures tell only part of the story.

The uncertainty here matters: with too few Bradley graduates to generate actual outcome data, you're making decisions based on how comparable programs perform elsewhere. If your child is set on pre-med or research and Bradley offers strong advising and lab opportunities, the lower estimated debt load works in your favor. But if they're unsure about graduate school and might enter the workforce directly after four years, comparable programs suggest they'd face tight finances initially—and you won't know Bradley's actual track record until more outcome data becomes available.