Physiology, Pathology at Brigham Young University

The striking feature of BYU's Physiology and Pathology program isn't where graduates start—it's where they end up. That first-year salary of $25,101 looks underwhelming and ranks in just the 15th percentile nationally, but four years later these graduates are earning $61,000, representing 143% growth. This trajectory suggests most graduates are using this degree as a stepping stone to medical school, graduate programs, or professional certifications that dramatically boost earning power.

The $13,000 median debt—less than half the national average for this program—fundamentally changes the risk profile. Even with that modest first-year salary, the debt burden is manageable, and by year four the ratio of earnings to original debt becomes quite favorable. BYU's low tuition for church members (and relatively low non-member tuition) is clearly the driving factor here. While this program ranks in the 60th percentile among Utah programs, it's worth noting BYU is the only school in the state offering this specific bachelor's program.

For families whose child is planning for medical or health professional school, this path makes financial sense—you're minimizing undergraduate debt while positioning for higher-earning careers. However, if your student plans to enter the workforce immediately after graduation with just this bachelor's degree, understand that the initial earning period will be lean. The program's value depends entirely on what comes next.