Biology at Gonzaga University

Gonzaga's biology graduates start at the lower end of the spectrum—earning less than both the Washington state median ($35,080) and the national average—but they experience remarkable momentum. That 48% earnings jump from year one to year four suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into better-paying positions, likely in healthcare, research, or graduate programs that lead to professional roles.

However, context matters: at roughly $30,800 initially, graduates earn about $4,000 less than peers at University of Washington campuses and below the state median for biology programs. Combined with debt slightly above the state's typical $22,000, this creates a challenging first few years where loan payments will feel significant. The 0.86 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it's not comfortable either when you're making under $31,000.

The key question is whether your student plans to continue education or enter the workforce directly. If they're pre-med, pre-dental, or headed to graduate school, Gonzaga's strong four-year earnings growth and manageable debt load work in their favor. But if they plan to stop at a bachelor's degree and work in Washington, the in-state UW campuses offer $8,000 more in starting salary with comparable debt—a meaningful difference when you're 22 and building financial independence. For biology specifically, Gonzaga ranks squarely in the middle tier among Washington options.