Biology at East Tennessee State University

ETSU's biology program outperforms 60% of Tennessee competitors despite starting graduates at just $28,138—nearly $5,000 below the national median. This relative strength within Tennessee matters for in-state students, but the absolute numbers tell a tougher story. First-year earnings barely exceed minimum wage work, and even after four years of 32% growth, graduates earn $37,032, still trailing the top Tennessee programs by significant margins.

The debt picture adds another complication. At $20,625, graduates owe less than typical biology majors nationally, but that 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio means nearly three-quarters of the first year's salary goes toward debt repayment if following standard guidelines. The moderate sample size suggests these figures are reasonably reliable, though not definitive.

For families, this comes down to post-graduation plans. If your student plans graduate school in health sciences—common for biology majors—the lower debt load compared to places like Middle Tennessee State ($35,986 earnings but likely higher debt) could matter more than the earnings gap. But for those entering the workforce directly, even the strong earnings trajectory leaves graduates playing catch-up. An 87% admission rate suggests ETSU provides access, but families should understand that biology bachelor's degrees rarely lead to high-paying immediate employment anywhere, and this program's outcomes reflect that broader reality while offering reasonable value among Tennessee options.