Biology at Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater State's biology program outperforms 95% of biology programs nationwide on earnings—a remarkable achievement for a highly accessible public university. Graduates earn $44,626 in their first year, substantially above the $32,316 national median and ahead of several more selective Massachusetts institutions. The $27,000 typical debt load is completely in line with state and national norms, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.61 that most biology programs can't match.

The program's positioning within Massachusetts tells a more nuanced story. At the 60th percentile statewide, Bridgewater sits in the middle of the pack among Bay State biology programs—solid but not elite. Schools like Worcester Polytechnic and UMass Lowell edge ahead by $5,000-$7,000 annually. However, Bridgewater's 89% acceptance rate means it's realistically available to far more students than some competitors, and the outcomes remain strong: earnings grow 21% by year four, reaching $54,183.

For families weighing biology programs, this represents dependable value. Your child gets above-average earnings without premium debt, from a program that won't require a perfect transcript for admission. The career trajectory looks healthy, and you're not gambling on whether sub-$30,000 debt will prove manageable—the numbers clearly work.