Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences at University of Georgia

A $21,000 debt load for a biology degree at UGA sounds reasonable on paper, but peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $35,000—making the debt-to-earnings ratio just under 0.6. That's manageable territory if your child plans to use this as a stepping stone to medical, dental, or graduate school, which many biology majors do. However, if they're planning to enter the workforce directly after graduation, that salary figure deserves scrutiny. It's worth noting that Augusta University, the only other Georgia school with reported data for this program, shows considerably lower first-year earnings at roughly $22,000, though direct comparisons are difficult given UGA's estimates are drawn from national rather than state data.

The bigger question is whether this degree aligns with your child's actual career path. Biology bachelor's degrees often serve as pre-med credentials rather than terminal degrees, and the relatively modest earnings reflect that reality. If your child is committed to further education, UGA's strong reputation and research opportunities could justify the investment. But if they're uncertain about graduate school or hoping to land a well-paying job immediately after graduation, these estimated figures suggest they might face financial strain in those early years. Before committing, have a frank conversation about whether they're planning for four years of education or eight-plus, because the economics look very different depending on that answer.