Biology at Salem State University

Salem State's biology program punches well above its weight class. With first-year earnings of $45,670, graduates outperform 95% of biology programs nationally—remarkable for a school with a 96% admission rate and modest SAT scores. The real surprise? These graduates are nearly matching the starting salaries of students from Northeastern and surpassing those from several more selective Massachusetts schools, while keeping debt at the state median of $27,000.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 is exceptional—most biology programs saddle students with debt equal to their entire first year's salary or more. Here, graduates can realistically pay off loans within a few years while building savings. Strong earnings growth to nearly $60,000 by year four suggests graduates are landing in career-track positions, not just temporary lab work. Within Massachusetts, the program ranks in the 60th percentile, which means it's solidly middle-of-the-pack among the state's many strong biology offerings.

For families seeking value in STEM education, particularly those who qualify for Salem State's in-state tuition, this program delivers professional outcomes at a fraction of the cost and competitive pressure of elite universities. The robust sample size confirms these aren't fluky numbers—this is a consistently performing program that opens doors to well-paying biology careers.