Biology at University of Alabama in Huntsville

UAH biology graduates earn considerably more than typical biology majors, placing in the 78th percentile nationally and outpacing peers at Auburn Montgomery, UNA, and Alabama State. Within Alabama's 26 biology programs, however, UAH lands in the 60th percentile—a solid middle-tier position behind only Athens State among mid-sized public universities. First-year earnings of $36,775 beat the national median by over $4,000, and the 17% earnings growth to $43,133 by year four suggests graduates are finding career traction.

The $25,000 median debt matches both state and national norms, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68. For context, biology majors notoriously struggle with debt relative to initial earnings since many pursue further education or lab positions with modest starting salaries. UAH graduates avoid the worst of this trap—their first-year earnings cover debt comfortably within two years, and those who advance to year four are earning nearly twice their debt load.

The moderate sample size means these figures represent real outcomes but could shift somewhat with different cohorts. For families seeking a research university environment without the debt burden of flagship schools, UAH delivers above-average biology earnings at a reasonable cost. Just understand that biology rarely leads directly to high salaries without graduate school or specialized credentialing.