Genetics at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Rutgers' genetics bachelor's program shows a troubling disconnect between what students invest and what they earn initially—graduates carry $26,217 in debt but earn just $20,373 their first year out, barely above minimum wage in New Jersey. While this ranks in the 60th percentile among New Jersey genetics programs, that's misleading context since Rutgers is the only school in the state offering this degree. Nationally, it lands in the bottom 10th percentile for earnings, meaning 90% of similar programs produce better-earning graduates.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.29 means graduates owe more than a full year's salary, which creates immediate financial pressure. The most concerning aspect is that the debt load sits in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning it's higher than 95% of comparable programs—while the earnings lag far behind. This suggests either graduates are pursuing additional schooling before entering higher-paying careers (common in genetics, where many continue to graduate programs), or they're facing a difficult early-career market.

If your child plans to stop at a bachelor's degree and work immediately, these numbers should raise red flags. However, if this is a stepping stone to graduate school in genetics, molecular biology, or medicine—fields where this degree serves as foundation rather than endpoint—the initial earnings may matter less than the program's academic rigor and research opportunities at a respected research university.