Analysis
Roosevelt's biotechnology program comes with an estimated $24,125 in debt—about 17% above the national median for biotech bachelor's programs—while peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $47,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 means graduates might need to dedicate roughly half their first-year salary to debt repayment, a manageable but meaningful burden that requires careful financial planning.
The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates since Roosevelt's actual graduate outcomes aren't publicly available due to small sample sizes. Nationally, biotech bachelor's programs show relatively tight earnings clustering, with most graduates earning between $47,000 and $52,000 in their first year, suggesting this field has fairly predictable entry-level compensation regardless of institution. The real question becomes whether Roosevelt's higher-than-typical estimated debt load reflects actual program costs or simply limited comparison data.
Given Roosevelt's open-access mission (94% admission rate) and significant Pell Grant population (46%), this program likely serves students who might otherwise lack access to STEM education. If the debt estimates prove accurate, graduates would still enter a stable field with clear career paths in pharmaceuticals, research labs, and healthcare—but they'd start with more financial pressure than peers at programs reporting lower debt loads. Before committing, confirm actual program costs and seek out Roosevelt alumni to understand real-world outcomes beyond these national estimates.
Where Roosevelt University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biotechnology bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Biotechnology bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,280 | $47,017* | — | $24,125* | — | |
| $11,286 | $70,124* | $71,966 | $22,056* | 0.31 | |
| $7,439 | $60,697* | $70,089 | $18,500* | 0.30 | |
| $15,247 | $59,156* | $75,451 | $11,985* | 0.20 | |
| $17,239 | $56,509* | — | $26,686* | 0.47 | |
| $6,270 | $52,118* | $61,720 | $16,500* | 0.32 | |
| National Median | — | $47,016* | — | $20,618* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with biotechnology graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Biological Scientists, All Other
Bioinformatics Scientists
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Geneticists
Biologists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Roosevelt University, approximately 46% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 18 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.