Biology at The University of Texas at Tyler

UT Tyler's biology program sits squarely in the middle of Texas options, with first-year earnings of $29,292 placing it at the 40th percentile statewide—though this lags both the state median ($30,432) and national average ($32,316) by a few thousand dollars. The modest 8% earnings growth to $31,618 by year four suggests graduates aren't rapidly advancing into higher-paying positions, whether in research, healthcare, or industry roles that often follow a biology degree.

The program's clearest advantage is debt management. At $18,000, graduates carry roughly $5,000 less than the state median and $7,000 less than the national average for biology majors. This results in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61, meaning the loan burden equals about seven months of first-year income—manageable territory that won't dominate early career finances. For a regional university serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (38%), this conservative debt load matters.

The fundamental question is whether biology is the right path. These earnings reflect the reality that bachelor's-level biology positions often pay modestly unless students continue to professional school or specialized training. If your child plans to pursue medical, dental, or graduate school, UT Tyler provides affordable preparation. If they're aiming to work immediately after graduation, understand they'll start behind peers at higher-performing Texas programs and may need strategic career moves to close that gap.