Biology at College of Our Lady of the Elms

Based on comparable biology programs across Massachusetts, this degree appears to deliver solid early returns at a reasonable debt load. The $27,000 in median debt ranks in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of biology bachelor's programs saddle students with more debt. With estimated first-year earnings around $42,000 (the state median), graduates would be looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64, manageable territory that suggests loan payments won't overwhelm entry-level paychecks.

The reality check: these earnings figures come from peer programs across the state, not from tracking Elms graduates specifically. While Massachusetts biology programs typically outperform the national median of $32,000 by a substantial margin, there's meaningful variation even among state schools. Top performers like Worcester Polytechnic and UMass Lowell push past $46,000 in first-year earnings, suggesting location, employer networks, and program reputation matter. Elms serves a largely regional, working-class student body (42% Pell-eligible, 88% admission rate), which may influence both graduate trajectories and the types of biology careers students pursue—lab tech roles versus research positions, for instance.

The debt advantage is real and documented for this specific institution. Whether the earnings follow the state pattern is the open question. For families weighing this program, the low debt provides crucial breathing room if career plans shift or if graduate school becomes necessary—a common path for biology majors seeking higher-paying specialized roles.