Biology at St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's College biology graduates earn more than 3 out of 4 similar programs nationwide, and their relatively modest debt loads create a manageable financial foundation even with typical entry-level science salaries. Starting at $36,331 and climbing to $47,734 within four years—a 31% jump—these graduates are building momentum, though parents should remember that many bio majors pursue graduate school where the real earnings potential materializes. The $20,607 in median debt is notably lower than both the state ($26,000) and national ($25,000) medians, giving graduates breathing room whether they're heading to medical school, taking a research position, or pivoting to another field.

Within Maryland, this program ranks solidly in the 60th percentile and trails only University of Maryland Eastern Shore among state schools by a narrow margin. That's meaningful for Maryland families who might default to larger universities—St. Mary's delivers comparable or better outcomes at a public school price point. The college's 75% admission rate suggests accessibility without sacrificing results.

The main asterisk: sample size is small here, so individual outcomes vary more than at larger programs. But for families concerned about their biology major accumulating crushing debt before professional school, St. Mary's keeps the financial risk reasonable while maintaining competitive earnings that suggest employers value these graduates.