Analysis
Drexel's Biology program commands a premium price point—$27,000 in debt is exactly at Pennsylvania's median—but delivers earnings that justify the investment better than most biology programs nationally. At $37,699 in year one, graduates earn 17% more than the national median for biology majors and 7% above Pennsylvania's average. Within four years, earnings jump to $56,036, a 49% increase that suggests biology graduates are successfully leveraging Drexel's co-op program and Philadelphia's biotech sector connections to move into higher-paying roles.
The 60th percentile ranking within Pennsylvania tells an important story: while Drexel doesn't match the elite outcomes of Lehigh ($45,695), it performs solidly among the 85 Pennsylvania schools offering biology degrees. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 means graduates face manageable loan payments relative to that first-year salary—considerably better than many biology programs where debt can exceed first-year earnings entirely.
For families weighing Drexel's cost, the data supports viewing this as a worthwhile investment for a biology major who's serious about the field. The strong earnings growth and solid national ranking (83rd percentile) indicate the program prepares students well for competitive entry into healthcare, research, or graduate programs. Just understand you're paying market rate for above-market results, not getting a bargain.
Where Drexel University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Drexel University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drexel University | $37,699 | $56,036 | +49% |
| Villanova University | $31,818 | $70,311 | +121% |
| Widener University | $35,142 | $68,495 | +95% |
| Susquehanna University | $36,174 | $66,779 | +85% |
| DeSales University | $42,751 | $65,437 | +53% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (85 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia | $60,663 | $37,699 | $56,036 | $27,000 | 0.72 |
 Lehigh UniversityBethlehem | $62,180 | $45,695 | $52,512 | $23,128 | 0.51 |
 Holy Family UniversityPhiladelphia | $33,968 | $44,567 | — | $28,500 | 0.64 |
 Marywood UniversityScranton | $39,570 | $43,968 | $51,631 | $27,000 | 0.61 |
 East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg | $11,036 | $43,182 | $47,690 | $27,000 | 0.63 |
 DeSales UniversityCenter Valley | $44,800 | $42,751 | $65,437 | $27,000 | 0.63 |
| National Median | — | $32,316 | — | $25,000 | 0.77 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Forensic Science Technicians
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Biological Technicians
Agricultural Technicians
Precision Agriculture Technicians
Food Science Technicians
Biological Scientists, All Other
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 Drexel University, approximately 25% 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 101 graduates with reported earnings and 136 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.