Est. Earnings (1yr)
$47,017
Est. from national median (18 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,125
Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 suggests that biotechnology graduates from peer programs typically finish their first year earning nearly double what they borrowed—a manageable threshold by most standards. Based on comparable bachelor's programs nationally, first-year earnings around $47,000 align with the national median for this field, while the estimated $24,000 in debt sits slightly above the typical biotechnology graduate's burden. For a private Baptist college serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients, these figures indicate the program isn't pricing itself dramatically out of step with student outcomes seen elsewhere.

The challenge is that Central Baptist appears to be the only school in Arkansas offering a biotechnology bachelor's degree, leaving no in-state comparison points. Biotechnology programs nationally vary significantly in their preparation—some emphasize lab techniques and quality control roles, while others lean toward research positions requiring graduate study. Without actual graduate outcomes from this specific program, it's impossible to know whether Central Baptist's curriculum aligns with the higher-earning segments of the field or prepares students primarily for entry-level positions.

If your child is considering this program, request concrete placement data: where recent graduates are working and in what roles. The estimated figures suggest financial viability if outcomes match peer institutions, but at a small religious college with modest selectivity, you'll want assurance that the biotechnology training translates into actual industry connections and job placement in Arkansas or nearby markets.

Where Central Baptist College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all biotechnology bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Biotechnology bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Central Baptist CollegeConway$19,680$47,017*—$24,125*—
Worcester State UniversityWorcester$11,286$70,124*$71,966$22,056*0.31
California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona$7,439$60,697*$70,089$18,500*0.30
University of California-DavisDavis$15,247$59,156*$75,451$11,985*0.20
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick$17,239$56,509*—$26,686*0.47
Utah Valley UniversityOrem$6,270$52,118*$61,720$16,500*0.32
National Median—$47,016*—$20,618*0.44
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with biotechnology graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

Bioinformatics Scientists

Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.

Geneticists

Research and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders.

Biologists

Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Central Baptist College, approximately 42% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 18 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.