Biology at Lesley University

Based on comparable biology programs in Massachusetts, Lesley's graduates can expect to earn around $42,000 in their first year—right at the state median but well above the national benchmark of $32,000. The estimated $27,000 in debt produces a manageable 0.64 ratio, meaning debt is roughly two-thirds of first-year earnings. For a biology bachelor's degree, these figures suggest a financially reasonable starting point, though several Massachusetts peers report considerably higher earnings, with some exceeding $50,000.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates drawn from peer programs in Massachusetts, since Lesley's biology graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. This makes it difficult to assess program-specific strengths—whether Lesley's approach to biology education, its lab facilities, or its career advising produces results that match, exceed, or fall short of the state median. The 94% admission rate and relatively low Pell enrollment (28%) suggest a less competitive environment than some comparison schools, which may correlate with the middle-of-the-pack estimated earnings.

If your child is set on biology at Lesley, focus your due diligence on career outcomes the school can actually demonstrate: where recent graduates landed jobs, graduate school acceptance rates, and internship pipelines. The financial framework appears sound based on state averages, but you'll need to verify that Lesley's specific program delivers those results.