Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at New York University

NYU's biology program graduates outpace nearly every peer program in the country—but this impressive performance comes with an important caveat about sample size. With fewer than 30 recent graduates tracked, these numbers might not fully capture typical outcomes. That said, the $41,024 starting salary ranks in the 95th percentile both nationally and among New York programs, where the state median sits at just $23,682. Graduates even surpass Siena College, the state's second-best performer at $37,789. The 54% earnings jump to $63,003 by year four suggests strong career trajectory potential in a field where many biology graduates struggle to find well-paying early opportunities.

The $25,000 median debt falls right in line with national norms for this major, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61—you'd expect to owe less than eight months' salary. This is notably better than typical biology programs, where low starting salaries often create more painful debt burdens. NYU's location in one of the world's premier biotech and research hubs likely explains the earnings advantage, giving graduates access to opportunities simply unavailable at most other schools.

For families who can afford NYU's steep tuition without excessive borrowing, the data suggests solid returns. But remember this is a self-selecting, high-achieving cohort (9% admission rate, 1527 average SAT), and the small sample means your student's experience could vary considerably from these medians.