Biology at Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State's biology program starts graduates below both the national and Missouri medians, earning about $31,000 in their first year—roughly $2,000 less than typical biology graduates in the state. Among Missouri's 41 biology programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile. That's a notable gap when schools like Missouri Western and UMKC start their biology graduates near $41,000. The one advantage here is debt: at $21,500, graduates borrow about $3,600 less than the state average, which helps cushion the lower starting salary.

The earnings trajectory tells a more encouraging story. Graduates see 29% wage growth by year four, reaching nearly $41,000. That's solid improvement, though it means spending several years catching up to where stronger programs start. For a student choosing between Southeast Missouri State and a comparable school, the math suggests they'll be financially behind for at least the first few years after graduation, even with the debt savings factored in.

If your child is committed to biology and Southeast Missouri State offers other compelling reasons to attend—proximity to home, scholarship money, or specific research opportunities—the manageable debt load makes this workable. But purely from an earnings standpoint, this program underperforms other accessible Missouri options. If career outcomes drive the decision, it's worth comparing financial aid packages from Missouri Western or Northwest Missouri State.