Median Earnings (1yr)
$39,810
93rd percentile
60th percentile in New York
Median Debt
$13,980
44% below national median

Analysis

CUNY Medgar Evers College's biology program punches well above its weight, delivering first-year earnings of $39,810β€”nearly 20% above the national median and significantly better than New York's typical biology graduate. Even more impressive: graduates carry just $13,980 in debt, less than half the state and national medians. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35, meaning graduates can realistically pay off their loans in under a year of dedicated repayment. Among New York's 92 biology programs, this places at the 60th percentile for earnings while maintaining exceptional affordability.

The program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (57%) at an open-access institution, yet outcomes rival or exceed those at selective private colleges. Four-year earnings climb to $49,396β€”a 24% increase that suggests strong career progression. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) confirms these aren't statistical flukes.

For families concerned about pre-med or health science pathways, this represents one of the best value propositions in New York. Your child gets strong earning potential with minimal debt burden, leaving them well-positioned for graduate school or immediate career entry without the crushing loans that plague many biology majors. At these numbers, this program delivers more financial security than most alternatives in the state.

Where CUNY Medgar Evers College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How CUNY Medgar Evers College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
CUNY Medgar Evers College$39,810$49,396+24%
Yeshiva University$21,104$77,314+266%
Marist University$30,737$74,782+143%
Siena College$33,416$72,370+117%
CUNY Hunter College$30,257$70,124+132%

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (92 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
CUNY Medgar Evers CollegeBrooklyn$7,352$39,810$49,396$13,9800.35
Barnard CollegeNew York$66,246$47,329β€”$16,6350.35
Hamilton CollegeClinton$65,740$43,639β€”$17,0000.39
The College of Saint RoseAlbany$37,452$41,068$53,389$27,0000.66
Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York$69,045$40,935$62,588$19,8920.49
Clarkson UniversityPotsdam$57,950$39,807$63,850$27,0000.68
National Medianβ€”$32,316β€”$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 CUNY Medgar Evers College, approximately 57% 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 166 graduates with reported earnings and 159 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.