Biology at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

The $26,000 first-year earnings look alarming at first glance, but this biology program tells a recovery story that needs context. Within four years, graduates see their earnings double to $55,000—substantially above both the national median ($32,300) and New Jersey's typical biology graduate ($32,000). The question is whether families can manage that difficult first year, when graduates are likely in lab tech or research assistant positions before moving into better-paying roles or professional programs.

The 25th percentile ranking among New Jersey biology programs is somewhat misleading since it's based solely on that weak first year. The state comparison reveals a significant gap: top programs like Centenary ($44,300) and William Paterson ($42,500) start graduates at nearly double FDU's initial salary. At $25,000, the debt load matches national norms and is manageable once earnings accelerate, but that initial year creates real financial stress—the debt equals 95% of first-year income.

This program makes sense for students with a clear path beyond the bachelor's degree—those headed to medical, dental, or graduate school, where that year-four earning power matters more than the starting salary. For students planning to work immediately after graduation with just the bachelor's degree, the weak starting position puts them behind peers from other New Jersey schools, even though they eventually catch up.