Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences at Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University's cellular biology program lands squarely in the middle for Oklahoma—literally at the state median for both earnings and debt among the three schools offering this degree. That 60th percentile state ranking means you're slightly ahead of one competitor but trailing another, while nationally the program sits just below the median at the 41st percentile.

The $34,174 starting salary paired with $21,000 in debt creates a manageable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe about seven months of their first year's salary. For a pre-med or pre-health professional program where many students plan to continue their education, this modest debt load is reasonable. However, if your child intends to enter the workforce immediately with just a bachelor's degree, that $34,000 salary is tight—about $1,300 below the national median for cellular biology graduates.

The real consideration here is fit: NSU's 99% admission rate and accessible price point serve students who need an affordable pathway into the sciences, particularly the 42% on Pell grants. If your child is headed to medical or graduate school, the combination of manageable debt and solid foundational training makes sense. If they're planning to stop at a bachelor's degree, though, understand they'll be earning below the national average for their major while living in a relatively low cost-of-living area.