Biology at Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies

The small sample size here matters, but Central Methodist's biology program shows a pattern worth considering: graduates earn slightly more than most Missouri biology majors ($35,416 vs. state median of $33,761) while carrying less debt ($23,250 vs. $25,125 statewide). That 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child would owe about 8 months of their first-year salary—a manageable starting point compared to many biology programs nationally.

However, context reveals an important limitation. This program ranks in the 60th percentile among Missouri biology programs, but the state's top performers—Missouri Western ($40,936) and UMKC ($40,483)—deliver earnings nearly 15% higher. For a field where many graduates pursue additional education anyway, that $5,000-6,000 annual earnings gap could compound significantly over time, especially if your child needs to fund graduate school out of pocket.

The takeaway: This program won't saddle your child with crushing debt, and outcomes sit comfortably above average. But if they're competitive for admission elsewhere, Missouri's flagship schools and regional universities offer notably stronger earning potential at similar or lower debt levels. Given biology's typical career trajectory, those extra earnings in early career years matter more than the modest difference in initial debt.