Biology at Gordon College

Gordon College's biology program sits in an uncomfortable position: it performs well nationally but falls significantly behind Massachusetts competitors. While first-year earnings of $35,529 exceed the national median by nearly $3,000, they lag the state median by over $6,000—landing in just the 25th percentile among Bay State biology programs. Even public options like Salem State deliver graduates into $45,000+ starting positions, about 27% higher than Gordon.

The earnings trajectory offers some relief, with salaries climbing 35% to $47,814 by year four—still respectable but not enough to close the gap with in-state alternatives. The $26,000 median debt is reasonable, creating a manageable 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio, though this advantage matters less when competing programs deliver both higher earnings and similar debt loads. For a Massachusetts family paying Gordon's private school tuition, the return on investment looks questionable compared to what University of Massachusetts-Lowell or Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates achieve.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably with more data. If your child is drawn to Gordon for its Christian liberal arts environment or specific research opportunities, that context matters. But purely from an earnings standpoint, Massachusetts families have stronger biology options that deliver better post-graduation outcomes without necessarily costing more in debt.