Biology at Denison University

Denison's biology graduates start slowly at $31,000 but experience remarkable salary growth, reaching $48,727 by year four—a 57% increase that significantly outpaces typical biology career trajectories. While the starting salary sits right at Ohio's median and slightly below the national average, this program's real value lies in what happens after graduation, suggesting graduates secure positions with strong advancement potential or gain admission to competitive professional programs.

The $25,000 median debt represents a manageable 0.81 ratio to first-year earnings, though parents should note that Denison's highly selective profile (17% admission rate, 1395 SAT average) doesn't translate to extraordinary starting salaries for biology majors. The program ranks in the 60th percentile within Ohio—decent but not exceptional—and trails several in-state alternatives like Ohio Dominican and the Miami University system by $7,000-$8,000 at the starting gate. The low percentage of Pell Grant recipients (13%) means most families are paying closer to full tuition.

This program makes sense for students confident about their trajectory into graduate school, medical school, or research positions where that impressive earnings growth will continue. Families paying typical private school tuition should carefully weigh whether this investment delivers sufficient return compared to Ohio's public universities, which offer similar or better starting outcomes at lower cost. The strong earnings trajectory suggests Denison's network and preparation eventually pay off, but it requires patience through those initial lean years.