Biology at SUNY Oneonta

SUNY Oneonta's biology program proves that initial modest earnings don't tell the whole story. While graduates earn $32,738 in their first year—right at the state median—their trajectory changes dramatically. By year four, median earnings jump to $52,338, a 60% increase that suggests many graduates successfully navigate into healthcare roles, graduate programs, or lab positions that value experience. This earnings growth is the real strength here, though it requires patience and likely additional credentials to unlock.

The debt picture reinforces the value proposition. At $21,537, graduates carry about $3,500 less than both the New York and national medians for biology degrees. This manageable debt load—just 66% of first-year earnings—provides crucial flexibility during those early career years when many biology majors are in graduate school, medical school prerequisites, or entry-level positions. Among New York's 92 biology programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, performing better than typical despite the state's competitive landscape that includes elite privates.

The tradeoff is clear: you're choosing affordable preparation over immediate earning power. Elite programs like Barnard ($47,329) start graduates $15,000 higher, but SUNY Oneonta graduates carry half the typical debt burden while still achieving solid mid-career outcomes. For families watching costs and students planning for graduate education, this combination of low debt and strong growth potential makes practical sense.