Biology at The University of Texas at Dallas

UT Dallas biology graduates experience an unusual earnings trajectory that ultimately lands in the middle of the pack. While first-year earnings of $26,029 lag significantly behind both state and national medians—ranking in just the 16th percentile nationally—the picture transforms dramatically by year four, when median earnings reach $50,623. That 95% growth rate suggests many graduates successfully transition into healthcare, research, or graduate programs that substantially boost their earning potential. Among Texas biology programs, this places UT Dallas at the 40th percentile, trailing schools like SMU and UT Austin but matching the state median.

The relatively low debt load of $18,750 makes this delayed payoff more tolerable than it might be elsewhere. That's about $7,000 below the national median for biology programs, giving graduates breathing room during those lean early years. The debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio of 0.72 looks manageable, especially considering where earnings eventually land.

For families, the key question is whether your child can weather that difficult first year financially and whether they're committed to leveraging their biology degree beyond entry-level positions. If they're planning on graduate school, medical school, or specialized training—which this earnings pattern strongly suggests many UT Dallas grads pursue—the affordable debt and strong institutional reputation make this a reasonable path. If they're expecting immediate financial returns with just a bachelor's, they should understand this program's value takes time to materialize.