Biology at Seton Hall University

Seton Hall's biology program tells a story of delayed payoff—graduates start well behind the pack at $27,759, ranking in just the 23rd percentile nationally and 40th in New Jersey. That first-year figure trails both national and state medians by roughly $5,000, and sits far below what William Paterson and Rider biology grads earn right out of college. However, by year four, something significant happens: earnings rocket to $81,601, nearly tripling in just three years. This trajectory suggests many graduates are pursuing medical school, pharmacy programs, or other advanced degrees that temporarily suppress initial earnings but pay dividends later.

The $21,500 debt load is actually lighter than typical for biology majors—both nationally and in New Jersey—which makes the initial earnings gap less painful during those lean early years. Still, parents should understand what they're signing up for: if your child plans to work immediately after graduation, this program underperforms alternatives like William Paterson or Centenary. The math only works if your student intends to pursue graduate education or specialized healthcare training that explains the dramatic earnings jump.

This is fundamentally a pre-professional program whose graduates follow a extended educational pathway rather than entering the workforce directly. If that matches your child's plans, the manageable debt and strong eventual outcomes make sense. If they're expecting to earn a biology bachelor's and work right away, cheaper in-state options deliver better immediate returns.