Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina's biology program starts graduates at below-national earnings ($26,838 versus $29,460 nationally), but the 32% income growth over four years suggests graduates find better opportunities with experience. More telling is the state comparison: this program outperforms the South Carolina median of $26,054 and even beats USC-Columbia's flagship program by about $1,600 in first-year earnings—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. For families planning to stay in the region, that regional strength matters more than the national ranking.

The debt load sits at $26,000, slightly above the state median but below national norms for this field. With earnings nearly matching debt after just one year, graduates aren't buried in payments while their careers develop. Biology degrees typically require graduate work for higher-paying positions, and this data captures only bachelor's degree holders, many of whom may be in transitional roles or pursuing further education. The 80% admission rate and modest SAT scores suggest this is an accessible entry point to the field without the premium pricing of more selective schools.

For families weighing South Carolina biology programs, Coastal Carolina delivers comparable or better outcomes than pricier alternatives. The real question is whether your student plans to pursue graduate school—if so, keeping undergraduate debt under control while building credentials makes this program worth considering.