Biology at Missouri Western State University

Missouri Western State University's biology program produces graduates earning $40,936 in their first year—putting them in the 95th percentile nationally and near the top tier of Missouri biology programs. This initial salary matches what students earn at University of Missouri-Kansas City and significantly exceeds earnings from larger state schools like Mizzou. With debt of $24,935, graduates face manageable repayment at 61% of first-year earnings, a ratio that improves as salaries climb to $44,841 by year four.

The caveat here matters: these figures come from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, which means individual outcomes can swing the averages considerably. Still, the pattern is encouraging—strong starting salaries that continue growing steadily, combined with below-average debt relative to earnings. While Missouri Western doesn't have the name recognition of flagship universities, its biology graduates are landing jobs that pay as well or better than those programs' alumni.

For families weighing this option, the numbers suggest solid value if your student is confident about their career path. The 60th percentile ranking among Missouri schools confirms this isn't just a statistical fluke from the small sample—graduates are genuinely competitive with peers across the state. Just recognize that biology typically requires graduate work for higher-earning careers, so these figures likely represent entry-level research tech or healthcare positions rather than final destinations.