Biology at North Carolina A & T State University

North Carolina A&T's biology program ranks in the 60th percentile among NC schools—not top-tier, but solidly above the state median of $30,692. More impressively, graduates see 31% earnings growth within four years, reaching $41,378, which suggests they're securing positions with clear advancement potential. That's meaningful momentum in a field where many programs plateau earlier.

The debt picture here is particularly favorable. At $28,358, it's only slightly above the state median and represents just 0.9 times first-year earnings—better than 95% of biology programs nationally. For a university where half the students receive Pell grants, this controlled debt load matters enormously. Your child won't be crushed by payments while building their career, whether they're heading to grad school, lab work, or healthcare adjacent roles.

The catch is that $31,660 starting salary. It's workable given the low debt, but families should understand this isn't a fast path to high earnings. Biology majors often need additional credentials to reach strong salaries, and this program appears positioned as a solid launching pad rather than a destination. If your child is pre-med, considering graduate school, or willing to invest in building experience, the combination of manageable debt and steady earnings growth makes this a financially rational choice.