Biology at Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State's biology program lands squarely in the middle tier of Missouri schools, performing above the state median but trailing the top programs by $5,000-6,000 in early earnings. With graduates earning $34,717 their first year—putting them in the 60th percentile statewide—this program offers predictable outcomes at an accessible price point. The debt load of $25,552 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74, which means students borrow about three-quarters of what they'll earn in their first year.

The 22% earnings growth to $42,335 by year four is solid for biology, a field where many graduates need additional credentials to unlock higher salaries. These four-year earnings still trail Missouri Western and UMKC by nearly $2,000, suggesting those programs may offer stronger industry connections or better preparation for immediate career advancement. Still, Missouri State outperforms Columbia by year four despite Columbia's stronger first-year showing.

For families prioritizing affordability and access (the 91% admission rate makes this attainable for most students), Missouri State delivers respectable returns without excessive debt. Just understand you're choosing steady, middle-of-the-pack outcomes rather than the higher ceiling offered by the state's top biology programs—a reasonable trade-off if those schools are out of reach academically or financially.