Biology at Nazareth University

Nazareth's biology graduates start modestly at $33,343 but see impressive 34% earnings growth within four years, reaching $44,705—well above what most biology programs deliver even at graduation. Among New York's 92 biology programs, this lands in the 60th percentile, outperforming the state median and holding its own against programs at more selective schools. The $27,000 debt load is notably manageable, ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of programs saddle students with more debt).

The real story here is trajectory. While elite liberal arts colleges like Hamilton and Barnard produce higher starting salaries, Nazareth graduates are catching up quickly. That 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one improves dramatically by year four. For families concerned about biology graduates' notorious struggle to find well-paying work without graduate school, this pattern suggests either strong career services connections or graduates who successfully transition into better-paying healthcare or pharmaceutical roles.

The moderate sample size means these numbers could shift somewhat year to year, but the combination of controlled debt and strong earnings acceleration makes this a lower-risk option than most biology programs. If your child is considering medical school or other graduate work, starting with manageable undergraduate debt matters tremendously—and they won't be financially treading water during gap years or while applying.