Biology at Francis Marion University

Francis Marion University's biology program starts graduates at just $27,223—about $5,000 below the state median and well behind South Carolina's top performers. While the program lands at the 40th percentile statewide, that's somewhat misleading: even the median biology graduate in South Carolina earns $30,000, meaning FMU lags a competitive in-state market. The debt load of $28,952 is actually above the state median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio above 1.0 that will stretch budgets during those crucial first years.

The 43% earnings growth to $39,000 by year four offers some relief, but parents should recognize this still trails where graduates from Southern Wesleyan or The Citadel start. For a student committed to biology, this program's accessible admission standards (82% acceptance rate) and relatively low debt compared to national averages provide a path forward, particularly for the 39% of students receiving Pell grants. However, families should budget carefully for those lean first years and consider whether similar tuition dollars at Lander or USC Aiken—both reaching $32,000 starting salaries—might deliver better immediate returns. If graduate school is the plan, the modest debt burden matters more than starting salary; if not, the earnings gap deserves serious attention.