Biology at Siena College

The standout feature of Siena's biology program isn't the modest first-year salary—it's what happens next. Graduates see their earnings more than double from year one to year four, jumping from $33,416 to $72,370. This 117% growth rate suggests many graduates are entering professional or graduate school pathways (medicine, research, advanced healthcare roles) where earnings accelerate sharply once training is complete. Among New York biology programs, Siena ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, placing it solidly in the middle of the pack but well ahead of the state median.

The debt picture reinforces the value case. At $27,000, Siena graduates carry just slightly more than the national median but face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 based on first-year income—and that ratio becomes negligible against the four-year earnings figure. This is particularly notable for biology, where many graduates delay full earning potential while completing advanced degrees.

For parents weighing this program: the initial salary may look underwhelming, but the trajectory tells a different story. If your child is serious about pursuing medicine, research, or other advanced healthcare fields, Siena's biology program appears to provide solid preparation without crushing debt. The key question is whether they're committed to the additional training these pathways typically require.