Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences at Marymount University

A $35,000 starting salary for a biology degree—based on what similar programs produce nationally—creates immediate tension with the pre-med reality many families expect. Most students pursuing cellular biology at a private university like Marymount envision medical school or research careers, but this estimated first-year figure reflects what happens to all graduates, including those who don't continue their education. The $17,500 in estimated debt is notably lower than the national median for these programs ($20,422), which matters if your student needs to work between undergrad and graduate school or decides science isn't their path after all.

The real question is whether Marymount provides the pre-professional support and research opportunities that justify choosing it over Virginia's public options. These peer-program estimates can't tell you about acceptance rates into medical or graduate programs, research facilities, or faculty mentorship—the factors that actually differentiate biology programs. With an 81% admission rate, this isn't a highly selective research university, which typically means fewer built-in connections to graduate programs and research labs.

If your student is certain about medical school or a PhD, the lower debt burden works in their favor. But if there's any chance they'll enter the workforce directly after graduation, understand that $35,000 is the starting reality for biology majors, and this program's outcomes likely fall somewhere in that range. Visit campus and ask pointed questions about graduate school placement rates and student research opportunities before committing.