Biology at St. John Fisher University

St. John Fisher biology graduates start modestly at $33,600 but see their earnings jump nearly 50% by year four—a trajectory that outpaces both national and New York state peers. While the first-year salary sits just slightly above typical biology program outcomes, that $50,191 four-year mark tells a different story. Among New York's 92 biology programs, this lands in the 60th percentile, putting it ahead of most SUNY and CUNY options despite being far more affordable than private competitors like Barnard or Hamilton.

The $26,000 debt load is essentially the national standard for biology majors, but the 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio improves dramatically as graduates gain experience. That steep earnings curve suggests Fisher's Rochester-area connections—whether through hospital systems, research labs, or pharmaceutical companies—are opening doors that take a year or two to fully materialize. This pattern is common for biology graduates entering medical-adjacent fields or pursuing certifications after graduation.

For families willing to think beyond year-one numbers, Fisher represents solid value among mid-tier New York biology programs. The moderate sample size provides reasonable confidence in these outcomes, and the combination of manageable debt with strong mid-career growth positions graduates well for either professional advancement or graduate school applications. Just understand that immediate post-graduation earnings will require budgeting carefully during that first year.