Biology at Gordon State College

Gordon State's biology program shows respectable earnings growth, but the small graduate cohort makes it hard to draw firm conclusions. At $29,542 initially, graduates earn slightly below the national median but above Georgia's typical biology graduate ($27,488). More encouraging: by year four, earnings jump to $49,054—a 66% increase that substantially outpaces most programs. The $26,007 debt load is manageable, creating a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88.

The state percentile tells an interesting story: this program ranks in the 60th percentile among Georgia biology programs, meaning graduates out-earn about half their peers statewide. That's notable given Gordon State's open admission profile (87% acceptance, average SAT of 950) and that nearly half of students receive Pell grants. However, graduates still trail top Georgia programs like Middle Georgia State ($35,281) and Georgia College ($32,550) by a significant margin, at least initially.

The major caveat: fewer than 30 graduates were tracked, so these numbers could swing considerably with a different cohort. For families seeking an affordable biology degree in Georgia—particularly those qualifying for Pell grants—Gordon State appears viable if your student plans to pursue graduate work or professional school where that strong earnings growth might continue. Just understand you're making this decision on limited data.