Location: Baltimore, MD•In-State Tuition: $7,001•Out-of-State Tuition: $13,789•Admission Rate: 50%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$21,151
5th percentile
10th percentile in Maryland
Median Debt
$27,000
8% above national median
D/E Ratio: 1.28 ElevatedSample: 19 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Coppin State's biology program shows concerning outcomes that demand careful consideration, even accounting for the small sample size. Graduates earn just $21,151 in their first year—roughly $12,700 below Maryland's median for biology programs and $11,000 below the national average. This places Coppin in the bottom 10% of biology programs statewide, trailing every comparable Maryland school by at least $13,000. The debt load of $27,000 means graduates owe more than an entire year's earnings, creating an unusually difficult financial start for a STEM degree that typically offers better prospects.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data, but the gap is too large to dismiss. Biology graduates from nearby Maryland programs like UMES and Salisbury earn 75% more in their first year with similar debt burdens. Even at peer institutions serving similar student populations, outcomes tend to be stronger. For context, over half of Coppin's students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families are counting on this degree to provide economic mobility.

If your child is set on biology at Coppin, have a frank conversation about career plans. These earnings suggest many graduates aren't landing laboratory or research positions immediately after graduation. Unless there's a compelling reason to choose this specific program—strong faculty relationships, location constraints, or a clear path to graduate school—Maryland offers nearly 20 biology programs with substantially better financial outcomes at graduation.

Where Coppin State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally

Coppin State UniversityOther biology programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Coppin State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Coppin State University earns $21k — 5th percentile among biology bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Maryland

Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Maryland (20 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Coppin State UniversityBaltimore$7,001$21,151—$27,0001.28
University of Maryland Eastern ShorePrincess Anne$8,898$37,244$41,730$27,0000.72
St. Mary's College of MarylandSt. Mary's City$15,236$36,331$47,734$20,6070.57
Salisbury UniversitySalisbury$10,638$35,876$44,922$23,2500.65
Towson UniversityTowson$11,306$34,988$52,007$21,8750.63
Loyola University MarylandBaltimore$55,480$34,655$56,525$27,0000.78
National Median—$32,316—$25,0000.77

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forensic Science Technicians

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

$67,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Agricultural Technicians

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Precision Agriculture Technicians

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Coppin State University, approximately 53% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.