Biology at Dominican University of California

Dominican University's biology program shows surprisingly strong first-year earnings of nearly $40,000—well above both the national median ($32,316) and California's typical biology graduate ($33,486). While that places this program in the 92nd percentile nationally, it's worth noting that within California's competitive landscape, it ranks around the 60th percentile. The state's median is itself higher than the national average, so this context matters less than it might seem. More impressive is the debt picture: $27,000 is manageable relative to earnings and ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of biology programs saddle students with more debt).

However, the small sample size—under 30 graduates—means a few outliers could skew these numbers significantly. What works in one year's cohort may not hold for the next. The university's 96% admission rate suggests it's not highly selective, yet these outcomes compete reasonably well with several CSU campuses that typically offer better value. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 suggests graduates can manage their loans on a single year's salary, which is uncommon for biology majors who often need graduate school.

For families considering this program, the data looks promising but comes with uncertainty. If your child plans to work immediately after graduation rather than pursue advanced degrees, these numbers suggest a solid return. Just recognize you're betting on a limited track record.