Biology at Brandeis University

Brandeis biology graduates start below their Massachusetts peers but show meaningful earning momentum, climbing 27% to reach $47,448 by year four. While that first-year figure of $37,475 sits in the 40th percentile for Massachusetts—trailing state-school options like UMass Lowell and Salem State by $8,000-$10,000—it's worth noting this still beats 82% of biology programs nationally. The $25,484 in debt is manageable at 0.68 times first-year earnings, meaning most graduates can handle payments even during those leaner early years.

The challenge here is Massachusetts-specific: you're paying selective private university prices (only 35% acceptance rate, average SAT of 1473) for outcomes that lag behind several less selective state schools in the biology field. If your child is Massachusetts-bound and certain about biology, those state options deliver stronger immediate returns. However, Brandeis's steeper earnings trajectory and research university environment may create different long-term opportunities—particularly for students headed toward graduate school, where the institutional pedigree matters more than early career salary.

This program makes most sense for students who value Brandeis's academic environment and aren't solely career-focused on immediate post-grad earnings. For families prioritizing financial return on a biology degree alone, Massachusetts offers better options at lower cost.