Biology at Shenandoah University
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Shenandoah's biology program stands out sharply in Virginia's crowded field—beating 80% of the state's programs and coming close to top performers like VMI and Hampden-Sydney. First-year earnings of $41,000 place graduates nearly $9,000 above Virginia's median for biology majors, a substantial advantage for a program at a school with a 78% acceptance rate.
The debt picture looks reasonable at $23,250, translating to a 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable compared to the typical biology graduate's burden. More encouraging is the 30% earnings jump to $53,000 by year four—suggesting graduates are finding career traction rather than stalling at entry-level positions. For context, this outpaces the national biology median by $21,000 at that four-year mark.
The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could shift with a larger sample. But the earnings advantage is large enough that even with some regression, this program appears to deliver solid outcomes. For parents worried about biology's reputation as a challenging major with modest pay, Shenandoah's graduates seem to be doing notably better than most—at least among this cohort.
Where Shenandoah University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Shenandoah University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Shenandoah University graduates earn $41k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all biology bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (38 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shenandoah University | $40,980 | $53,262 | $23,250 | 0.57 |
| Virginia Military Institute | $43,797 | $63,600 | $23,000 | 0.53 |
| Hampden-Sydney College | $41,876 | $48,487 | $24,500 | 0.59 |
| Roanoke College | $37,458 | $51,790 | $27,000 | 0.72 |
| University of Richmond | $36,300 | $52,909 | $20,064 | 0.55 |
| University of Mary Washington | $35,194 | $54,144 | $22,567 | 0.64 |
| National Median | $32,316 | — | $25,000 | 0.77 |
Other Biology Programs in Virginia
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Virginia schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Military Institute Lexington | $20,484 | $43,797 | $23,000 |
| Hampden-Sydney College Hampden-Sydney | $52,388 | $41,876 | $24,500 |
| Roanoke College Salem | $36,774 | $37,458 | $27,000 |
| University of Richmond University of Richmond | $62,600 | $36,300 | $20,064 |
| University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg | $14,559 | $35,194 | $22,567 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Shenandoah University, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 44 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.