Biology at Felician University

Felician's biology program starts slowly but shows strong earning momentum—from under $30,000 in year one to nearly $50,000 by year four. That 69% growth rate suggests graduates may be using this degree as a stepping stone to healthcare positions or professional school, which would explain why first-year earnings lag behind New Jersey's median by about $2,500.

The $30,500 debt load sits above both state and national benchmarks, creating a tight first year when the debt-to-earnings ratio exceeds 1:1. However, by year four, the earnings trajectory helps offset that initial pressure. Keep in mind that these numbers come from a small cohort, so individual outcomes likely vary significantly. The university serves a predominantly working-class student body—over half receive Pell grants—which may mean many graduates need immediate employment rather than unpaid internships or graduate school right away.

The key question is whether your child plans to pursue further education. If medical school, pharmacy, or physician assistant programs are on the horizon, the initial earnings are less concerning since they reflect a transitional phase. But if they're looking for direct career entry, stronger-performing New Jersey programs like William Paterson or Montclair State deliver substantially higher starting salaries with comparable or lower debt loads. The long-term growth is promising, but the financial squeeze in those early years is real.