Biology at Salve Regina University

Salve Regina's biology program commands a premium price but ultimately delivers exceptional returns. While graduates carry $27,000 in debt—slightly above both national and state medians—their first-year earnings of $40,525 place them in the 95th percentile nationally for biology majors. That's $8,200 more than the typical biology graduate earns, making the modest debt load quite manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.67.

The real story here is the earnings trajectory: four years out, median pay jumps to $70,070, a remarkable 73% increase that suggests graduates are successfully entering health-related professional programs or research careers. Within Rhode Island, this program sits solidly in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing Roger Williams and URI but outperforming most in-state alternatives. For families comparing Rhode Island options, Salve Regina offers comparable outcomes to larger state universities with potentially more individualized attention given its 70% admission rate.

For parents worried about biology degrees leading to stagnant wages, this program offers reassurance. The combination of manageable debt, strong starting salaries, and substantial earnings growth makes this a sound investment, particularly for students who thrive in smaller campus environments and plan to pursue graduate or professional education after their bachelor's degree.