Biology at Lamar University

With only 30 graduates in this sample, interpret these figures carefully—but the trajectory tells an important story. Lamar's biology graduates start at $26,554, well below both Texas and national medians, yet show strong 59% earnings growth by year four. That $42,320 four-year mark suggests graduates who initially take lower-paying research or lab positions often transition into better opportunities. The debt load of $22,875 is manageable relative to that four-year income, though the weak starting salary means the first couple years require careful budgeting.

The comparison with other Texas programs is revealing: Lamar sits squarely in the middle of state offerings (40th percentile), performing as you'd expect from a regional university. Top earners from SMU and UT campuses make 50% more, but they're also drawing from different student pools with different career networks. For students seeking an affordable biology degree—particularly the 44% on Pell grants—this represents a reasonable path, especially if they're willing to work their way up from entry-level positions.

The real question is career direction. If your child plans medical or graduate school, those early earnings don't matter much. But if they're entering the workforce directly, understand that biology bachelor's degrees typically lead to modest starting salaries regardless of school, and Lamar's outcomes reflect that reality without the premium debt many programs carry.