Microbiological Sciences and Immunology at The University of Texas at El Paso

The first-year earnings figure here—just $22,069—is alarmingly low, landing in the 5th percentile nationally for microbiology programs. That's roughly half what graduates from UT Arlington's program earn, and well below what you'd need to comfortably service even the modest $18,531 in median debt. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means this number could be skewed by a few students still in gap-year plans or continuing education, but it's concerning enough that parents should investigate what's typical for recent graduates. Among Texas microbiology programs, this ranks only at the 25th percentile, suggesting the issue isn't simply El Paso's regional economy.

The dramatic jump to $47,183 by year four tells a more complex story. If graduates are genuinely reaching near-national-average earnings within four years, this could indicate that many students pursue additional training or certifications before entering their full career track. UTEP serves a heavily Pell-eligible population (61%), so the relatively modest debt load is actually a meaningful advantage—graduates who weather that difficult first year aren't buried under crushing payments.

The real question is whether your student has a clear path through that first year. If they're planning for graduate school, medical school, or technical certifications, the low initial earnings may not matter. But if they need to be financially independent immediately after graduation, this program's trajectory presents real challenges compared to similar programs elsewhere in Texas.