Biology at Northeastern University Professional Programs

Northeastern's adult learner biology program pulls off something unusual: it ranks in the 95th percentile nationally while landing squarely in the middle of Massachusetts's competitive biology landscape. That split tells you something important—this program excels at what biology degrees typically offer, but operates in a state where most biology programs already perform well. First-year earnings of $45,494 trail schools like WPI by $6,000, though the 61% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates quickly find their footing in better-paying positions.

The $25,000 debt load matches both national and state medians, creating a straightforward value calculation: you're paying average debt for significantly above-average outcomes compared to most biology programs, just not exceptional ones by Massachusetts standards. The 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, though that first year involves some belt-tightening. The 4% Pell grant population hints this program primarily serves adult learners who may already have income sources, which could explain why the debt burden doesn't tell the full financial story.

For families comparing biology options in Massachusetts, this program delivers solid outcomes without the premium you'd pay at WPI or similar institutions. The real question is whether the adult-focused format fits your student's situation—if they need flexibility while working, this performs well above what most biology programs achieve nationally.