Biology at The College of New Jersey

The College of New Jersey's biology program starts graduates at just $25,340—roughly $7,000 below both national and state medians for biology majors. While the debt load is manageable at $19,500, that first year presents real financial pressure, with earnings barely above minimum wage full-time work. The program ranks in just the 25th percentile among New Jersey biology programs, trailing not only Centenary and William Paterson but even peer institutions like Montclair State by nearly $12,000.

The dramatic turnaround by year four tells a different story. Earnings jump 128% to nearly $58,000, suggesting graduates are gaining admission to medical school, physician assistant programs, or other graduate credentials that transform the financial picture. This trajectory is common for biology majors pursuing healthcare careers, where the bachelor's degree functions as a stepping stone rather than a terminal credential.

For families, the key question is whether your student plans to attend graduate or professional school. If so, the modest debt and eventual strong earnings make this workable, though the lean first year requires financial planning. If your child plans to enter the workforce directly with a bachelor's degree, this program underperforms compared to other New Jersey options where biology graduates start $10,000+ higher.