Biology at Long Island University

Long Island University's biology program starts graduates at an unusually low salary—about $7,000 below the New York state median and in just the 15th percentile nationally. That first year is tough: with $26,000 in debt, graduates face a concerning debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.01. However, the story transforms dramatically by year four, when median earnings jump to $55,904, a 118% increase that far exceeds typical biology program growth and ultimately surpasses even top NY programs like Barnard and Columbia.

This pattern suggests graduates are entering medical school, graduate programs, or other professional training rather than working full-time after the bachelor's degree. That would explain both the initially low earnings and the explosive growth. For parents, this means the program likely serves as a launching pad for advanced degrees rather than a direct path to employment. The relatively manageable debt load ($1,000 above the national median) makes this trajectory more feasible than at pricier institutions.

The key question is whether your student plans to continue their education immediately after graduation. If they're aiming for medical school or a PhD program, those first-year numbers matter less. If they need to work and earn right away, this program ranks in the bottom quarter of New York biology degrees for starting salary, and that's a meaningful limitation worth considering.