Biology at Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern's biology program starts graduates at well below the national median—$27,195 versus $32,316—but demonstrates impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 56% to $42,504 by year four. That's a substantial gain that suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into career-track positions after what appears to be an initial period in lab technician roles or graduate school preparation. Among Georgia biology programs, this lands right at the state median for starting earnings, performing comparably to most in-state peers.

The concerning element is that first-year figure. At the 21st percentile nationally, it means nearly 80% of biology programs launch graduates into higher-paying positions. With debt of $25,755—roughly a year's starting salary—new graduates face tight financial constraints during that crucial first year. The nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio means loan payments will strain entry-level budgets significantly.

For Georgia families, this program offers a reasonable in-state value if your student plans to pursue medical school, graduate degrees, or careers requiring initial credential-building. The strong earnings growth suggests graduates find their footing. However, if the goal is immediate career earnings, other Georgia schools like Middle Georgia State or Georgia College deliver 20-30% higher starting salaries with similar debt loads, making them worth serious consideration.