Biology at The University of Tennessee-Martin

UT-Martin's biology program lands near the middle of Tennessee's pack but significantly trails national standards. While median earnings climb from $25,185 to $40,807 between year one and year four—a 62% jump that suggests graduates find their footing after a slow start—that initial salary sits in just the 13th percentile nationally and barely cracks the 40th percentile among Tennessee biology programs. For comparison, biology majors at Middle Tennessee State start at $36,000, over $10,000 more in that crucial first year.

The debt burden of $25,900 roughly equals the first year's salary, creating a tight financial squeeze immediately after graduation. Even at the four-year mark, when earnings improve substantially, graduates are making less than what biology majors at Tennessee's top programs earn right out of the gate. The program serves a substantial population of first-generation and lower-income students (34% receive Pell grants), but the earnings trajectory raises questions about whether it's positioning them competitively.

One critical caveat: these numbers come from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, which means your child's actual experience could vary considerably. For families counting on biology as a pre-med stepping stone, this might work fine. But if your child plans to enter the job market with just a bachelor's degree, they should understand they'll likely face below-average starting prospects compared to peers from other Tennessee schools.