Biology at Central State University

Central State's biology program shows concerning financial outcomes that deserve careful scrutiny, despite the small sample size making these numbers somewhat uncertain. First-year earnings of $28,264 fall well below both Ohio's median ($31,017) and the national average ($32,316), ranking this program at just the 40th percentile within Ohio—meaning 60% of Ohio biology programs produce better initial earnings. More troubling is how this compares to top Ohio programs like Ohio Dominican or Miami University, where graduates earn nearly $10,000 more annually.

The debt burden of $30,731 substantially exceeds both state and national norms, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.09. This means graduates owe more than they'll earn in their first year—a challenging position for recent college graduates trying to launch careers. With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here have limited financial cushion to help manage this debt load while earnings remain modest.

For parents considering this program, the math is straightforward: their child would likely start $2,700 behind Ohio's typical biology graduate in earnings while carrying $4,700 more debt. Unless there are compelling non-financial reasons to choose Central State—strong family ties to the institution, specific research opportunities, or scholarship aid that dramatically reduces the debt burden—Ohio offers multiple biology programs with demonstrably better financial outcomes. The small sample size offers some hope these numbers aren't representative, but that's a significant gamble given the alternatives available in-state.