Location: North Andover, MA•In-State Tuition: $51,786•Admission Rate: 74%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$41,506
95th percentile
40th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Debt
$27,000
8% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.65 ManageableSample: 25 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Merrimack's biology program charges $27,000 in median debt but produces first-year earnings of $41,506—a combination that sounds reasonable until you look at what other Massachusetts schools achieve. While this program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, it lands squarely at the state median, meaning half of Massachusetts biology programs launch graduates into higher-paying positions. More concerning, nearby competitors like UMass-Lowell and Salem State—both public universities with likely lower sticker prices—report earnings above $45,000.

The 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, and the debt load itself matches the state average. But when you're paying private school tuition, finishing in the middle of the pack regionally represents underwhelming return on investment. Keep in mind the sample size here is under 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly year to year.

For families committed to private education in Massachusetts, this program won't derail financial futures, but it's not delivering the earnings premium you'd hope for given the cost. If your student has admission offers from UMass-Lowell or Worcester Polytechnic, those merit serious consideration based on superior graduate outcomes.

Where Merrimack College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally

Merrimack CollegeOther biology programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Merrimack College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Merrimack College earns $42k — 95th percentile among biology bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (49 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Merrimack CollegeNorth Andover$51,786$41,506—$27,0000.65
Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester$59,070$51,711$71,939$26,9990.52
Curry CollegeMilton$46,220$46,736—$27,0000.58
University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell$16,570$46,526$66,988$26,7470.57
Stonehill CollegeEaston$54,500$46,088$58,080$27,0000.59
Salem State UniversitySalem$11,978$45,670$59,961$27,0000.59
National Median—$32,316—$25,0000.77

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forensic Science Technicians

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

$67,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Agricultural Technicians

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Precision Agriculture Technicians

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Merrimack College, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 25 graduates with reported earnings and 39 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.