Biology at Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State's biology program outperforms most alternatives in Tennessee—ranking in the 80th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $36,000, well above the state median of $27,500. The program also beats the national median by over $3,600, placing graduates ahead of three-quarters of biology programs nationwide. With relatively manageable debt of $21,500 (below the national median), students emerge with a debt burden equivalent to just seven months of their first-year salary—a ratio that compares favorably to many STEM fields.

The 30% earnings jump to $46,800 by year four suggests biology graduates here successfully transition into better-paying positions, whether in research, healthcare, or related industries. This growth trajectory is particularly noteworthy since biology bachelor's degrees often serve as stepping stones to graduate programs; these graduates who enter the workforce directly are seeing meaningful salary progression. The robust sample size confirms these aren't outlier results.

For a biology program at a moderately selective state university, these outcomes represent solid value. Your student would graduate with less debt than most peers nationally while earning more than 80% of biology graduates staying in Tennessee. If they're planning to work in-state after graduation—particularly in Nashville's growing healthcare sector—this program delivers tangible advantages over most Tennessee alternatives while keeping debt in check.