Biology at Robert Morris University

Robert Morris University's biology graduates face a challenging reality: starting salaries around $35,000 while carrying $27,000 in debt. While this program performs slightly above Pennsylvania's median and ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, those benchmarks aren't particularly encouraging when you consider that Pennsylvania's top biology programs produce graduates earning $43,000 to $46,000 right out of college. The debt load here is actually quite manageable compared to most biology programs nationally—landing in just the 5th percentile—but that's cold comfort when earnings barely exceed $35,000.

The real concern is what biology bachelor's degrees typically lead to: either graduate school (adding more debt) or entry-level lab and research positions with modest pay. At $35,000, graduates will struggle to make their loan payments while saving for further education or building financial stability. Biology can be a stepping stone to lucrative healthcare careers, but the bachelor's degree alone rarely commands strong earning power.

One important caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so your child's outcome could differ significantly. If they're planning graduate or professional school anyway, Robert Morris keeps undergraduate debt reasonable. But if they're hoping a biology degree alone will provide quick financial independence, the numbers suggest looking at programs with stronger earnings outcomes—or reconsidering whether biology is the right undergraduate major for their career goals.