Biology at Bucknell University

Bucknell biology graduates start modestly at $38,765 but see substantial momentum, reaching nearly $60,000 by year four—a 54% earnings jump that outpaces the typical biology trajectory. While first-year earnings place graduates in the 88th percentile nationally, they fall to the 60th percentile among Pennsylvania programs, suggesting this selective private institution ($1,389 SAT average, 32% admission rate) doesn't deliver the same regional premium as schools like Lehigh or Holy Family for biology specifically.

The debt picture is manageable at $26,672, creating a 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio that sits well below concerning thresholds. However, parents should recognize they're paying private school tuition for outcomes that trail five other Pennsylvania biology programs in early earnings. The strong earnings growth indicates graduates likely pursue graduate school, medical school, or research positions that reward patience—typical for biology majors from research universities—but those first years involve financial trade-offs.

For families comfortable with a slower initial payoff and confident their student will leverage Bucknell's academic rigor for advanced degrees or competitive positions, the trajectory justifies the investment. If immediate financial return matters more, several Pennsylvania alternatives deliver stronger day-one earnings with similar debt loads.