Biology at Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University's biology program sits in an interesting middle ground: it beats the national average but trails most Washington alternatives. The $33,793 first-year salary edges above the national median, landing in the 60th percentile nationally. However, among the 18 Washington biology programs, it falls below the state median of $35,080—reaching only the 40th percentile—and lags behind the UW campuses by roughly $5,000 annually.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $21,666, graduates borrow about $3,300 less than the state median and significantly less than the national benchmark. Combined with solid 36% earnings growth to $45,817 by year four, the program demonstrates improving financial prospects over time. The 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, meaning graduates enter the workforce with debt levels they can reasonably handle on biology salaries.

For Washington families, the calculation hinges on alternatives. If your child is choosing between Eastern Washington and significantly pricier private schools—or can't secure admission to the more competitive UW campuses—this program delivers reasonable value with below-average debt. But if UW admission is viable, those campuses offer $5,000 more in starting salary with comparable debt loads. Eastern Washington works as a solid backup option for biology students prioritizing affordability over maximizing early earnings.