Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences at Oakland University

Looking at peer programs nationally, cellular biology bachelor's degrees typically start around $35,400 in first-year earnings with about $21,000 in debt—which sounds reasonable until you consider that Michigan's market for these graduates appears significantly weaker. The only Michigan school with reported data shows earnings at just $28,000, nearly $7,000 below the national figure Oakland's estimates are based on. That's a meaningful gap that suggests the regional job market may not support the national patterns.

The debt load itself isn't alarming—under $22,000 for a four-year degree is manageable. But cellular biology degrees are typically pre-med stepping stones, and if your child isn't continuing to graduate or professional school, the job prospects in Michigan look limited. Even using the more optimistic national estimate, a 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio means nearly seven months of gross income goes to debt, and that's before considering the state's lower actual outcomes.

Here's what matters: if your child is planning on medical school, dental school, or a PhD program, this is a standard pathway and the undergraduate debt is secondary to their future plans. But if they're expecting to work with just a bachelor's degree, the Michigan market data suggests they'll likely earn closer to $28,000 than $35,000—and at that income level, finding biology-specific jobs becomes challenging. Before committing, get clarity on their post-graduation plans beyond "something in science."