Biological and Physical Sciences at Le Moyne College

Is a Bachelor's degree in Biological and Physical Sciences worth $26,120 when comparable New York programs suggest starting salaries around $36,400? That 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in workable territory—graduates would owe roughly nine months of their first year's income. However, this program operates in a field where early earnings are modest. Similar programs across New York show starting salaries barely above the national median of $34,380, suggesting limited geographic advantage despite the higher cost of living in the Northeast.

The bigger concern is trajectory. Science graduates from peer programs in New York range from nearly $40,000 at Bard College to under $30,000 at Fordham, illustrating how much variation exists even within the same state and field. At Le Moyne's estimated midpoint, graduates enter a tight financial window where loan payments will consume a meaningful portion of take-home pay. For students planning graduate school—common in the sciences—this debt becomes a foundation they'll build upon.

The practical question: what happens after that first year? Science careers can branch toward higher-paying specializations or plateau in lab technician roles. Without actual outcome data for Le Moyne's specific program, families are betting on which path proves more common. Given the estimated debt load, this works best for students with clear post-graduation plans—graduate school funding, specific job offers, or family support to cushion those early years.