Biology at McDaniel College

McDaniel's biology graduates start at $33,241—slightly above the national median but trailing the Maryland state average by several hundred dollars. More concerning, they rank in just the 40th percentile among Maryland biology programs, meaning six in ten Maryland schools deliver better initial outcomes. The debt picture adds pressure: at $21,375, graduates carry less than the state median, but the 76th percentile debt ranking nationally suggests most comparable programs manage to leave students with even less burden.

The positive story here is earnings trajectory. That 44% jump from year one to year four indicates graduates are finding their footing, though starting wages lag behind state peers like University of Maryland Eastern Shore ($37,244) and St. Mary's College of Maryland ($36,331). For a program with an 84% admission rate serving a significant portion of Pell-eligible students, these outcomes show accessibility, but not necessarily value leadership within Maryland.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means a few outlier careers could be skewing these numbers in either direction. For Maryland families comparing biology programs, this sits in the middle of the pack—acceptable outcomes, but stronger options exist in-state at similar price points. If your child is drawn to McDaniel specifically for fit or campus culture, the debt load won't sink them, but the degree itself doesn't appear to unlock premium biology career opportunities compared to alternatives an hour away.