Biology at Neumann University

Based on comparable biology programs in Pennsylvania, Neumann's graduates likely start around $35,000—squarely in line with the state median but well below what students earn at nearby competitors like Lehigh ($45,695) or even Holy Family ($44,567). What changes the picture dramatically is year four: the $65,741 median jumps to nearly double the starting figure, suggesting either strong graduate school placement or delayed entry into better-paying positions. That trajectory matters because it determines whether the initial modest salary represents a temporary stepping stone or a longer-term ceiling.

The debt load of $28,750 sits just above Pennsylvania's typical biology debt ($27,000), creating a manageable 0.82 ratio to first-year earnings—though that calculation assumes the state median holds true for Neumann specifically. Four years out, when earnings hit $65,741, that debt becomes far less burdensome. The real question is what drives that earnings jump: if it's graduate school in fields like physical therapy or physician assistant studies, families need to factor in additional debt. If it's career progression in biotech or healthcare roles, the program delivers solid value despite its unremarkable start.

For a Catholic university serving 42% Pell grant recipients, Neumann appears positioned as an access point rather than a premium option. The debt-to-earnings ratio works, but families should confirm whether that four-year earnings figure reflects outcomes relevant to their child's specific biology career path.