Biology at Pacific University

Pacific University's biology program starts graduates at $34,612—modest but competitive within Oregon's landscape, where it ranks in the 60th percentile. What distinguishes this program is the 30% earnings jump by year four, reaching $44,914. That trajectory suggests graduates are successfully moving beyond initial lab tech or research assistant roles into better-compensated positions, whether in healthcare, industry, or graduate-level work.

The $26,021 in median debt sits right at the national average for biology degrees, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 is manageable—graduates could realistically pay this off within a few years of disciplined budgeting. Biology rarely produces six-figure salaries straight out of undergrad, so comparing this to high-earning STEM fields misses the point. For students planning to use this as a stepping stone to medical school, graduate programs, or allied health careers, the debt load won't create a major obstacle.

The gap with top Oregon programs like Linfield ($42,677) exists, but Pacific's combination of accessible admissions (92% acceptance rate) and reasonable outcomes creates a viable pathway for students who might not access more selective institutions. If your child is committed to biology and plans to pursue additional training afterward, this program delivers functional preparation without crushing debt. The real question is whether biology aligns with their longer-term career goals—the degree itself is a reasonable investment.