Biology at Providence College

Providence College biology graduates face an unusual challenge: despite ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally for early earnings, they land below the median among Rhode Island's eight biology programs. That first-year salary of $39,616 trails Roger Williams ($47,799) and URI ($45,846) by significant margins, even though Providence students carry similar debt loads and likely have comparable SAT scores.

The program's real story emerges in year four, when median earnings surge to $74,656—an 88% jump that suggests many graduates successfully pivot into higher-paying fields like healthcare or pursue advanced degrees that pay off quickly. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 is exceptionally manageable, ranking in the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden. Still, for a selective liberal arts college charging premium tuition, starting $8,000 behind URI graduates represents a meaningful gap that takes time to close.

For families comparing Rhode Island options, this comes down to weighing Providence's strong outcomes trajectory against competitors' immediate returns. If your student plans to pursue medical school, pharmacy, or another professional degree—common paths for biology majors—that four-year earnings figure matters less than the academic preparation. But if they're hoping to work directly after graduation, URI or Roger Williams offer better starting positions at likely lower net cost for in-state students.