Biology at SUNY Buffalo State University

Buffalo State's biology program sits solidly in the middle of New York's competitive landscape—outperforming 60% of state programs while keeping debt remarkably manageable. For a bachelor's degree that often serves as a stepping stone to healthcare or graduate school, the $25,500 debt load is precisely on target with state and national medians, meaning your child won't be handicapped if they need to take on more loans for additional training.

The first-year salary of $33,444 looks modest, but it's actually slightly above both New York and national medians for biology graduates. More importantly, earnings climb 11% by year four, suggesting graduates are finding pathways into better positions—whether in labs, quality control roles, or pre-professional tracks. The 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio is well within the manageable range, especially considering that over half of Buffalo State students receive Pell grants yet emerge with below-average debt burdens.

The real question is career intent. If your child plans to work with just a bachelor's, Buffalo State delivers fair value at a reasonable price. If graduate or professional school is the goal, this program provides solid preparation without the debt overhang that comes from higher-ranked programs—Columbia's biology grads earn more initially but likely carry significantly higher debt. For families prioritizing affordability while maintaining competitiveness for next steps, Buffalo State hits that balance well.