Biology at Guilford College

Guilford College's biology program produces graduates earning just under $31,000 in their first year—roughly $700 below the North Carolina state median and $1,800 below the national benchmark. Among North Carolina's 50 biology programs, this lands squarely in the middle (40th percentile), though it trails well behind several accessible state options like East Carolina University ($39,000) and NC State ($36,000). The program does offer one advantage: at $21,250, graduates carry notably less debt than typical NC biology majors ($26,914), creating a more manageable first-year debt burden.

The 24% earnings growth to nearly $38,000 by year four is respectable, but the initial salary remains the fundamental challenge. For a program serving a substantial population of Pell Grant recipients (44%), that $30,000 starting point means most graduates will face tight budgets during those crucial early career years when student loan payments typically begin.

Here's the practical consideration: with small sample size limiting confidence in these numbers, parents should verify current outcomes directly with Guilford's career services. If these figures hold, your child would likely achieve similar or better earnings at several North Carolina public universities while benefiting from lower in-state tuition. The lower debt is genuinely helpful, but it may not fully compensate for the earnings gap compared to stronger programs in the state system.