Biology at San Diego State University

San Diego State's biology program stands out for managing to keep debt remarkably low while delivering earnings growth that accelerates dramatically after graduation. At under $18,000 in student debt—about $7,000 below the state median and well below the national average—this program gives graduates financial breathing room that many biology majors don't get elsewhere.

That breathing room proves critical because the immediate post-graduation earnings of $33,600 tell only part of the story. Within four years, median earnings jump 65% to more than $55,000, suggesting graduates are successfully transitioning into better-paying healthcare, research, or graduate school-dependent careers. While the program ranks around the 60th percentile among California biology programs initially, that strong earnings trajectory matters more than the starting point for a field where many students use the bachelor's degree as a stepping stone.

The comparison to pricier private options is instructive: University of San Diego biology grads start higher, but SDSU students carry roughly half the debt load while still ending up solidly in the middle of the pack statewide. For families worried about pre-med or graduate school costs down the road, that $18,000 debt figure versus $25,000+ elsewhere could make the difference in affordability. This is a practical choice for biology students who know they'll need additional credentials but want to minimize undergraduate borrowing.