Biology at Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus

This program's story is all about trajectory rather than starting point. With first-year earnings of $25,026, graduates begin slightly below the national average for biology associate's degrees, but by year four, they're earning $41,493—a 66% jump that suggests many students successfully transfer to four-year programs or advance into higher-paying lab and research positions. The $9,500 debt load is quite manageable, representing just 38% of first-year earnings, which means most graduates could theoretically pay it off within a year if they prioritized it.

Within New Jersey, this program performs solidly, ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's seven biology associate's programs—essentially middle-of-the-pack. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably year to year, so don't treat them as gospel. What matters more is the fundamental value proposition: a low-cost associate's degree that positions students for either direct employment in lab settings or transfer to a bachelor's program without crushing debt.

For families planning a traditional four-year biology path, this could serve as an affordable launchpad. The modest debt and strong earnings growth suggest students are finding pathways forward, whether through continued education or immediate work. Just understand you're looking at a small dataset that may not represent every cohort's experience.