Biology at Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Keiser's biology program produces graduates who earn $34,287 their first year—placing them in the 80th percentile among Florida biology programs and well above the state median of $27,034. That's competitive with better-known universities like Florida A&M and The University of Tampa, which suggests the program delivers solid career preparation despite Keiser's 97% acceptance rate.
The significant concern is the debt load. At $39,000, graduates carry roughly 56% more debt than typical biology majors nationwide, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.14. For context, biology bachelor's degrees generally struggle with return on investment compared to other STEM fields—biology graduates nationally earn around $32,000 their first year while often pursuing graduate school. At Keiser, you're getting above-average Florida outcomes but taking on substantially above-average debt to get there.
The calculation for families: Is paying roughly $18,000 more in debt worth earning $7,000 more annually than the typical Florida biology graduate? That depends on your child's graduate school plans and career path. If they're headed to medical school or a PhD program, first-year earnings matter less than preparation quality. If they're entering the workforce directly, the elevated debt will take roughly 4-5 years to pay off with disciplined budgeting. The program performs well competitively, but biology degrees rarely offer quick financial payoff regardless of where you earn them.
Where Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale graduates compare to all programs nationally
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale graduates earn $34k, placing them in the 63th percentile of all biology bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (38 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | $34,287 | — | $39,000 | 1.14 |
| St Petersburg College | $37,741 | — | $40,916 | 1.08 |
| Miami Dade College | $34,568 | — | $13,750 | 0.40 |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | $34,012 | $42,723 | $28,125 | 0.83 |
| The University of Tampa | $32,909 | — | $26,000 | 0.79 |
| Barry University | $32,556 | $37,193 | $30,500 | 0.94 |
| National Median | $32,316 | — | $25,000 | 0.77 |
Other Biology Programs in Florida
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Florida schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Petersburg College St. Petersburg | $2,682 | $37,741 | $40,916 |
| Miami Dade College Miami | $2,838 | $34,568 | $13,750 |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee | $5,785 | $34,012 | $28,125 |
| The University of Tampa Tampa | $33,424 | $32,909 | $26,000 |
| Barry University Miami | $33,450 | $32,556 | $30,500 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale, approximately 58% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 40 graduates with reported earnings and 75 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.