Biology at Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College's biology graduates start well below average—earning $26,350 initially puts them in just the 25th percentile among Colorado programs and 18th nationally. More concerning, even top Colorado biology programs like Metro State ($41,018) and CSU Pueblo ($38,933) start their graduates $12,000-$15,000 higher. The $18,761 debt load is lighter than most programs, but it still takes significant discipline to manage on that first-year salary.

The redeeming factor here is impressive growth: earnings jump 45% to reach $38,066 by year four, landing graduates near the state median. This suggests the degree opens doors that take time to walk through—perhaps into graduate programs or specialized roles that value the foundation over immediate credentials. For a school serving a substantial proportion of Pell-eligible students (36%), this trajectory matters.

The calculus depends on what your child plans next. If they're headed to medical, veterinary, or graduate school—where that initial salary is temporary anyway—the relatively low debt is an advantage. But if they need to earn immediately after graduation, understand they'll be starting thousands behind peers at other Colorado schools, with no guarantee of closing that gap fully even after four years.