Biology at Stony Brook University

Stony Brook's biology program starts alarmingly low—just $25,253 in first-year earnings—but the trajectory tells a different story. Within four years, graduates nearly double their income to $47,372, ultimately surpassing both the national and New York state medians by healthy margins. This dramatic 88% growth suggests many graduates are likely pursuing additional credentials (medical school, graduate programs, physician assistant training) that initially suppress earnings but pay off significantly by year four. Among New York's 92 biology programs, however, Stony Brook still lands in just the 25th percentile, trailing schools like Barnard ($47,329) and even some CUNY campuses.

The $21,000 debt load is a genuine advantage here—roughly $4,000 below both state and national medians—making that difficult first year more manageable. The 0.83 debt-to-earnings ratio looks concerning at first glance, but it's largely an artifact of that post-graduation bottleneck year. If your child is serious about healthcare or research careers requiring further education, that initial earnings dip becomes less relevant, and the moderate debt becomes crucial.

The bottom line: This works for students with clear graduate school plans who need to minimize undergraduate debt. If your child wants to work immediately after graduation in biology-related industry, the weak initial placement compared to peer New York schools is worth scrutinizing closely. The moderate cost makes the gamble less risky, but the payoff depends heavily on what comes after that bachelor's degree.