Biology at Lincoln University

Lincoln University's biology program outperforms 70% of biology programs nationwide for first-year earnings, despite serving a student population where nearly half receive Pell grants. At $35,467, graduates earn above both the national median ($32,316) and Missouri's state median ($33,761), though they trail the state's top programs by $5,000-6,000. What really stands out is the debt picture: at $28,000, students here borrow just slightly more than typical biology majors but far less than many peer institutions, landing in the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden.

The 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly nine months of their first-year salary—a manageable position for a science degree that often requires graduate school for higher earnings potential. Among Missouri's 41 biology programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, which is respectable for an HBCU with a significant access mission.

The major caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances can swing these numbers considerably. If your student is considering medical school or other graduate programs (common paths for biology majors), this program offers a relatively low-debt launching pad. For those planning to enter the workforce directly after graduation, understand that biology bachelor's degrees generally don't command high starting salaries anywhere—this program performs about as well as you can reasonably expect.