Biology at State University of New York at Oswego

SUNY Oswego's biology program starts slow but delivers where it matters most—four years out, graduates are earning $57,612, nearly double their starting salary and substantially above both national and state medians. That 88% earnings growth suggests graduates are successfully landing professional positions or gaining admission to graduate programs that translate into solid careers. With debt under $22,000, students are borrowing $3,400 less than the typical biology major nationally.

The first-year earnings of $30,691 place this program at the 40th percentile both nationally and within New York—middling performance that likely reflects the reality that many biology graduates need additional credentials before reaching their earning potential. However, the sharp upward trajectory indicates these graduates aren't stuck in low-wage positions. The debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio of 0.70 is reasonable, and given the strong subsequent earnings, the initial financial picture improves quickly.

For families concerned about immediate post-graduation earnings, understand that biology is often a stepping stone to healthcare, research, or graduate school rather than a direct path to high-paying work. SUNY Oswego's program appears to successfully prepare students for those next steps at a manageable cost. The combination of modest debt and strong medium-term earnings makes this a solid choice for students committed to the field.