Biology at Spelman College

Spelman's biology graduates start at just $21,638—below half the state median and in the bottom 5% nationally. That's a harsh beginning for a program carrying $26,502 in debt, especially when several public Georgia universities deliver $10,000 more in first-year earnings. Among Georgia biology programs, Spelman ranks only at the 25th percentile despite its selective 34% admission rate and strong academic profile.

The 67% earnings growth to $36,086 by year four tells a different story, suggesting many graduates pursue additional training or that their career trajectories simply take longer to materialize. This pattern is common for students headed to medical school, graduate programs, or research positions. However, that still leaves the four-year earnings barely above the national 75th percentile—respectable but not exceptional given the challenging start.

For a pre-med track or students planning graduate school, the low initial earnings may matter less than Spelman's strong academic community and advising. But families banking on immediate returns after a bachelor's degree should understand they're looking at years of below-market earnings while managing monthly loan payments. The numbers suggest this works best as a stepping stone to advanced degrees, not as a terminal credential for immediate employment.