Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,122
Est. from PA median (50 programs)
Median Debt
$27,000
8% above national median

Analysis

In Pennsylvania, biology programs produce a wide range of early outcomes, and Mount Aloysius lands squarely in the middle. Based on comparable biology programs across the state, first-year earnings around $35,000 appear typical, though the college's own graduates reach $44,220 by year four—suggesting steady progression rather than an immediate payoff. The $27,000 debt load is precisely in line with both state and national norms for this degree, making the financial proposition neither particularly risky nor especially advantageous.

What matters here is the trajectory. That nine-thousand-dollar jump between years one and four indicates graduates are gaining traction in their careers, whether moving into lab positions, graduate programs, or healthcare roles that value the biology foundation. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 means your child would owe roughly nine months of their first-year salary—manageable if they're committed to the field and willing to accept that biology bachelor's degrees rarely lead to high immediate earnings without additional credentials.

The real consideration is whether your child plans to stop at the bachelor's level or pursue graduate work. Biology degrees often serve as stepping stones to physical therapy, medical school, or research positions that require advanced training. If they're eyeing those paths, Mount Aloysius provides a reasonably priced foundation. If they expect the bachelor's degree alone to launch a lucrative career, they should understand they'll likely start in the mid-thirties with several years of building ahead.

Where Mount Aloysius College Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Mount Aloysius College$44,220
Villanova University$31,818$70,311+121%
Widener University$35,142$68,495+95%
Susquehanna University$36,174$66,779+85%
DeSales University$42,751$65,437+53%

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (85 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Mount Aloysius CollegeCresson$26,156$35,122*$44,220$27,000
Lehigh UniversityBethlehem$62,180$45,695*$52,512$23,1280.51
Holy Family UniversityPhiladelphia$33,968$44,567*$28,5000.64
Marywood UniversityScranton$39,570$43,968*$51,631$27,0000.61
East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg$11,036$43,182*$47,690$27,0000.63
DeSales UniversityCenter Valley$44,800$42,751*$65,437$27,0000.63
National Median$32,316*$25,0000.77
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Mount Aloysius College, approximately 16% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 50 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.