Biology at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon

The $16,945 starting salary might look alarming at first glance—it sits in just the 5th percentile nationally for biology programs. But context matters enormously here. This program actually performs at the 60th percentile among Puerto Rico's biology programs, where economic conditions produce vastly different salary scales than the mainland. With relatively modest debt of $8,250 (less than half a year's salary), graduates aren't facing the crushing burden typical of biology majors elsewhere who often carry $25,000 or more. The 84% earnings jump to $31,136 by year four suggests graduates find better opportunities as they gain experience.

The real question is whether your child plans to stay in Puerto Rico or pursue opportunities on the mainland. These earnings make sense in Puerto Rico's economy, where even the top biology programs like UPR-Humacao only reach $22,686. However, if the goal is relocating to practice medicine, research, or work in biotech elsewhere, this program's outcomes look less competitive. The sample size here is small (under 30 graduates), so these numbers might not capture the full picture.

For families prioritizing low debt and planning to remain in Puerto Rico, this represents a manageable investment. For students eyeing mainland graduate programs or careers, compare carefully against UPR's system schools that command slightly higher salaries with similar debt loads.