Biological/Biosystems Engineering at University of Florida

University of Florida's biological and biosystems engineering program lands its graduates at $46,917 in the first year—well below the $59,620 national median for this degree. While debt appears manageable at an estimated $23,013 (based on similar programs at UF), the earnings shortfall is significant: this program places in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable engineering programs across the country produce better first-year outcomes. For a competitive program at a selective university (24% admission rate), these numbers demand explanation.

The 42% earnings growth to $66,811 by year four suggests the degree eventually delivers, but that four-year trajectory still trails what many biological engineering programs achieve right out of the gate. Given that UF is the only school in Florida offering this specific major, there's no in-state comparison point, but nationally this program is an outlier on the lower end. The estimated 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio is reasonable, but only because the debt figure is moderate—not because the earnings are strong.

Parents should understand they're looking at estimates based on peer programs at UF, not actual outcomes for this specific major. If your student is set on biological systems engineering at a flagship institution, factor in that the early earning years appear weaker than the field typically commands, and verify whether career services or co-op opportunities might explain—or offset—that gap.