Biology at Saint Martin's University

Saint Martin's biology graduates start with modest salaries—$32,034 in the first year—but show impressive upward mobility. That 30% earnings jump to $41,495 by year four suggests graduates are successfully moving beyond entry-level lab tech positions into better-paying roles. However, starting below Washington's state median of $35,080 (40th percentile) means the first few years could be financially tight, especially compared to UW or Seattle University grads who begin nearly $6,000 ahead.

The $22,500 debt load sits slightly below the state median and is more manageable than the national average, which helps offset those lower starting salaries. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 means graduates owe less than one year's salary—reasonable for a biology degree, though students should know this field typically requires graduate school for significant career advancement. Saint Martin's serves a substantial proportion of Pell-eligible students (40%), and these debt levels won't trap graduates who need to work immediately after graduation.

For families weighing in-state options, understand that Saint Martin's biology program trades lower starting pay for solid growth potential and below-average debt. If your student plans to enter the workforce right away, the initial salary gap matters. But if they're using this as a stepping stone to graduate school or professional programs, the combination of reasonable debt and proven earning progression makes this a defensible choice—just not the strongest value among Washington's biology programs.