Biology at Tuskegee University

Tuskegee's biology program posts troubling numbers that deserve serious scrutiny, even accounting for the small sample size. Just one year after graduation, median earnings sit at $14,102—placing this program in the bottom 10% both nationally and among Alabama biology programs. While earnings jump substantially by year four to $35,180, graduates at comparable Alabama schools like Athens State ($36,907) and UAH ($36,775) start higher and avoid the difficult first years entirely.

The $30,750 median debt creates an especially tight squeeze during those early years when graduates are earning well below the poverty line. This debt load exceeds both state and national medians for biology programs, and the 2.18 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe more than twice their first-year income. Even after the impressive earnings growth, the debt burden remains significant relative to mid-career pay.

The small sample size here matters—these figures could reflect just a handful of graduates whose paths may not represent typical outcomes. That said, the pattern is consistent: low starting pay, high debt, and eventual earnings that merely catch up to what other Alabama biology programs deliver from the start. Unless your child has compelling reasons to choose Tuskegee specifically—such as its HBCU mission or unique research opportunities—the financial data suggests exploring other Alabama options that offer better early-career outcomes without the initial earnings struggle.