Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

The numbers tell two dramatically different stories depending on when you measure them. Rutgers' cellular biology program shows first-year earnings that land in just the 5th percentile nationally—$20,721 versus a national median of $35,393—but four years out, graduates reach nearly $59,000, representing an extraordinary 185% income jump. This pattern strongly suggests many graduates pursue medical school, graduate programs, or health certifications immediately after graduation, suppressing initial earnings before their credentials kick in.

The $24,000 median debt is manageable and slightly above the national median for this major, but the debt-to-earnings picture looks worse than it is due to those depressed initial salaries. Within New Jersey's limited landscape (only two schools offer this program), Rutgers sits at the 60th percentile—essentially median for the state but far below national norms initially. The dramatic earnings trajectory suggests this isn't a program failing its students; rather, it's serving as a gateway to advanced training.

If your child is planning to attend medical or graduate school, these first-year earnings are essentially irrelevant—they're working research jobs or in graduate programs, not launching careers. The moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary considerably, but the debt load remains reasonable even if plans change. This program makes sense for students with clear post-graduate ambitions, but those hoping to work immediately after their bachelor's should look carefully at why so many graduates earn so little initially.