Biology at Delaware State University

Delaware State's Biology program earns graduates nearly $7,000 more than the national median initially—a strong start that places it in the 91st percentile nationwide. With reasonable debt around $26,000, graduates have a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, there's an important catch: within Delaware, this program sits at just the 40th percentile, essentially matching the state median of $39,536. University of Delaware biology graduates earn marginally more at $39,746, though the difference is negligible.

The troubling pattern emerges in year four, when median earnings drop to $36,926—a 6% decline that suggests graduates may be stuck in lower-wage laboratory or research assistant roles without clear advancement. This isn't typical for biology majors who pursue graduate school or professional programs, where earnings typically accelerate after initial positions. The sample size is moderate, which adds some uncertainty to the trajectory.

For families considering this program, the value depends heavily on post-graduation plans. If your child intends to apply to medical, veterinary, or graduate school, the solid initial placement and manageable debt make this viable. But if they're planning to enter the workforce directly with just a bachelor's degree, the earnings decline is concerning. The program won't handicap your child financially, but it also doesn't appear to position biology graduates for strong career progression without additional education.