Biology at The University of Texas at San Antonio

UTSA's biology program outperforms 60% of Texas biology programs while keeping debt below both state and national averages—an uncommon combination at a school serving a heavily first-generation student population. The starting salary of $31,467 sits slightly below the national median, but graduates experience strong earnings momentum, jumping to $43,677 within four years. That 39% growth trajectory suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into better-paying roles or advancing their careers more effectively than the typical biology graduate.

The debt picture strengthens this program's case. At $22,475, graduates owe less than the state median and significantly less than the national benchmark of $25,000, despite 42% of students receiving Pell grants. The 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face manageable repayment from day one, and that burden lightens considerably as earnings climb in years two through four.

For Texas families looking at biology programs, UTSA delivers better-than-average outcomes at lower-than-average cost. While top private options like SMU produce higher starting salaries, they come with substantially higher debt loads. UTSA's combination of access, affordability, and solid earnings growth makes it a smart choice for students planning to work immediately after graduation or pursue graduate school without crushing undergraduate debt.