Biology at SUNY College at Geneseo

Geneseo's biology program starts below both state and national medians—at $31,060, graduates earn about $1,700 less than typical New York biology majors in their first year. But here's what matters more: by year four, earnings jump to $51,619, representing 66% growth that positions this program differently than the early numbers suggest. That kind of trajectory typically indicates graduates are successfully moving into higher-paying positions or graduate programs that boost their earning potential.

The $20,500 debt load is notably lower than both the state and national median of $25,000, giving graduates a 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation. This means less financial pressure during those early career years when biology majors are often pursuing additional training or entry-level lab positions. For a moderately selective SUNY school (64% admission rate, 1296 SAT), this combination of manageable debt and strong earnings growth represents solid value, even if it doesn't match the immediate returns of elite private schools like Barnard or Hamilton.

The practical takeaway: this program requires patience. If your child plans to pursue medical school, graduate research, or positions that take time to develop, the low debt provides flexibility during that trajectory. The strong four-year earnings suggest Geneseo biology graduates successfully navigate those critical post-graduation years—just don't expect strong immediate returns.