Biology at Central Washington University

Central Washington University's biology program puts graduates slightly above the middle of the pack in Washington but significantly ahead of national norms. With first-year earnings of $36,401, graduates outpace the typical biology major nationwide by over $4,000 annually. However, at the 60th percentile within Washington, this means roughly 40% of in-state biology programs deliver better early outcomes—including all three UW campuses, which start graduates at $38,716.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $25,790, borrowers here face manageable obligations with a 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio. That said, this is still above Washington's state median debt of $22,042 for biology programs, so families should factor in whether they're paying out-of-state tuition or have access to financial aid. The modest 5% earnings growth to year four suggests graduates aren't climbing into higher-paying research or biotech roles quickly, which may matter if your student plans to work directly after graduation rather than pursue medical or graduate school.

For families seeking an accessible biology degree (90% admission rate) with reasonable debt, this delivers on the fundamentals. But if your child is considering medical school or research careers—where the bachelor's is just a stepping stone—the similar outcomes across Washington programs suggest choosing based on location, cost, and research opportunities rather than earnings data alone.