Biology at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver's biology program manages an unusual feat: graduates earn more than 95% of biology majors nationally despite the school's open-admission policy and modest SAT scores. First-year earnings of $41,018 substantially outpace the national median of $32,316, and within Colorado, this program ranks in the 60th percentile—solidly above the state median and competitive with more selective schools like University of Denver and Colorado State University Pueblo.

The tradeoff comes in the debt load. At $29,587, graduates carry about $6,000 more debt than the state median, giving Metro State the unfortunate distinction of being among the most expensive biology programs in Colorado. That said, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 remains manageable, and earnings grow 14% by year four to $46,814, suggesting graduates are finding decent entry points into healthcare, research, or related fields that value biology credentials.

For families weighing Metro State against other Colorado options, the calculation is straightforward: you'll likely pay more upfront but see better initial earnings outcomes than at most alternatives. The stronger-than-expected earnings suggest the Denver location provides valuable internship and job placement advantages that offset the school's lack of selectivity. If your student is certain about pursuing biology—particularly in healthcare or clinical work where early career earnings matter—the premium appears justified by results.