Biology at Mount Saint Mary's University

At first glance, Mount Saint Mary's biology program appears to check important boxes: manageable debt and first-year earnings slightly above the national average. But the California context tells a more challenging story. The $33,146 starting salary lands in just the 40th percentile among California biology programs, meaningfully below the state median of $33,486. Meanwhile, the $28,000 debt burden—while reasonable compared to many programs—is nearly 40% higher than what typical California biology students carry. When you can find nearby state schools like Cal State East Bay producing biology graduates earning $44,370, that $11,000 annual difference compounds quickly.

The small sample size here is a real concern that could skew these numbers in either direction. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, one or two outliers can significantly move the median. The program serves a predominantly need-based student population (55% on Pell grants), which is admirable, but doesn't change the return-on-investment calculus. For a biology degree that often leads to graduate school or entry-level lab positions, starting $10,000+ behind peers at CSU campuses while carrying more debt creates a steeper uphill climb. Unless Mount Saint Mary's offers unique research opportunities, mentorship, or graduate school placement rates that justify the gap, California families have more cost-effective options for launching a biology career.