Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences at Ohio University-Main Campus

A biology degree where first-year earnings hover around $35,000—based on what similar cellular biology programs produce nationally—demands careful consideration of the broader career timeline. Many graduates in this field use their bachelor's as a stepping stone to medical school, graduate programs, or specialized certifications where the real earning potential lies. If your child plans to stop at the bachelor's level, that $21,000 in estimated debt will take years to pay down on a starting salary that barely exceeds $35,000, especially given that many entry-level lab positions cluster at the lower end of this range.

The 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio might seem manageable on paper, but it masks the reality that cellular biology bachelor's graduates often face a tough choice: accept lower-paying research assistant or quality control positions, or invest in additional education that adds more debt. Peer programs across the country show similar patterns, with the 75th percentile reaching only $42,634—not exactly a dramatic leap. Ohio University's relatively high admission rate and modest test scores suggest this isn't a program attracting the most competitive pre-med students who might have clearer paths to higher earnings.

The bottom line: treat this as a pre-professional degree, not a terminal one. If your child has a concrete plan for medical school, a physician assistant program, or another advanced degree, the estimated debt load is acceptable. Without that plan, they're likely facing several lean years in jobs that don't require this specialized background.