Biology at CUNY Queens College

Queens College biology graduates face a rough first year—earning $31,777 puts them in the bottom 40% of New York biology programs—but the trajectory tells a more encouraging story. By year four, median earnings jump 46% to over $46,000, suggesting graduates are landing positions that value their degree even if entry-level options are limited. The exceptional piece here is debt: at just $12,000, Queens College charges roughly half what the typical New York biology program does, creating a manageable financial burden even during that challenging first year.

The gap between Queens and elite New York programs like Barnard ($47,329) or Hamilton ($43,639) is real, but context matters. Nearly half of Queens students receive Pell grants, and many are likely working or pursuing graduate school part-time during that first year, which can depress initial earnings. The 46% earnings growth suggests the degree does open doors—just not immediately. With such low debt, graduates have breathing room to pursue medical school, research positions, or other paths that biology majors often need for career advancement.

For families watching every dollar, Queens College delivers exactly what a public university should: legitimate credentials without crushing debt. Your child won't match the starting salaries of Columbia grads, but they also won't spend the next decade paying off six figures in loans. If graduate school is in the picture, that $12,000 debt load is particularly valuable.