Biology at Johnson & Wales University-Providence

A $29,405 starting salary for biology graduates represents a substantial gap below Rhode Island's typical outcomes—this program ranks in just the 25th percentile statewide, earning $10,500 less than the state median of $39,910. That's roughly equivalent to missing a month's gross pay compared to peers at URI or Rhode Island College. The program also underperforms nationally, landing in the 32nd percentile against 1,379 biology programs nationwide.

The $25,350 debt load sits near national norms, but paired with these lower earnings, it creates a challenging first-year equation. Parents should recognize that even in-state tuition at Johnson & Wales apparently doesn't translate to competitive biology outcomes—every other major Rhode Island program delivers substantially higher earnings. The 0.86 debt-to-earnings ratio means nearly a full year's salary would go toward debt if repayment consumed every dollar earned.

Biology graduates often pursue graduate education, which could alter this trajectory. But for students planning to enter the workforce immediately after their bachelor's, this program starts them behind both state and national peers. Given Rhode Island's compact higher education market and the measurable earnings premium at URI or Rhode Island College, families should have clear reasons beyond convenience for choosing Johnson & Wales for biology—perhaps a specific research opportunity or faculty connection that justifies accepting lower initial earnings.