Biology at Juniata College

Juniata College's biology program shows one of the most dramatic earnings trajectories you'll encounter—but that initial year looks rough. Starting at just $25,119, graduates earn roughly $7,000 less than Pennsylvania biology majors typically do and land in the bottom 13th percentile nationally. That first-year figure ranks this program in just the 25th percentile among Pennsylvania's 85 biology offerings, well behind leaders like Lehigh and Holy Family that start graduates above $44,000.

The remarkable 121% earnings jump to $55,554 by year four suggests many graduates are completing medical school or graduate programs during that window. If your child is pre-med or planning advanced degrees, these numbers make sense—that first year may represent gap-year positions or clinical assistant roles before professional school. The $27,000 debt load is exactly average for Pennsylvania biology programs and quite manageable relative to that year-four earning power.

However, if the plan is a bachelor's degree and straight into the workforce, these numbers deserve serious scrutiny. A quarter of biology grads starting below $26,000 is a tough financial position, even with relatively modest debt. The four-year data only tells you what happens to those who stay in the survey pool—it doesn't capture career outcomes for students who enter the workforce immediately after graduation. Unless graduate school is part of the plan, Pennsylvania offers numerous biology programs with stronger immediate earnings potential.