Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences at Northeastern University

Northeastern's cellular biology graduates earn nearly double the national median for this major—$65,551 versus $35,393—placing them in the 95th percentile nationwide. That's impressive on its face, but Massachusetts context tells a more nuanced story: this sits at the 60th percentile among in-state programs, suggesting the premium reflects both Northeastern's co-op opportunities and the state's strong biotech ecosystem rather than exceptional program performance alone. Notably, these grads outpace Harvard's cellular biology alumni by $14,000 annually.

The debt load of $22,156 translates to a healthy 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly a third of their first-year salary. That's manageable by any standard and slightly better than the national median debt. For a highly selective school (6% admission rate), Northeastern delivers decent financial accessibility alongside strong outcomes.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample. Still, for families confident their student will leverage Northeastern's extensive co-op network into Boston's life sciences sector, the fundamentals look solid. The real question is whether the premium over other strong Massachusetts programs justifies Northeastern's sticker price—these outcomes suggest the answer is yes, particularly if that co-op experience opens doors that accelerate career progression beyond year one.