Biology at University of La Verne

The $22,650 first-year salary at University of La Verne ranks in the bottom 10% of California biology programs—well below the state median of $33,486 and less than half what graduates earn at comparable institutions like Cal State East Bay. That's a tough start for students carrying $26,000 in debt, which exceeds the state median by nearly $6,000. This program appears to primarily feed graduates into lower-paying lab technician or research assistant positions that don't require a bachelor's degree.

The dramatic earnings jump to nearly $70,000 by year four suggests many graduates eventually pivot into better opportunities—possibly by pursuing additional credentials, entering medical device sales, or shifting careers entirely. While this growth trajectory is impressive on paper, that initial period of underemployment matters: students are making loan payments and missing years of higher earnings. For context, graduates from mid-tier California programs like Cal State San Marcos start at $38,527 and likely see comparable or better mid-career outcomes without the financial struggle.

Unless your child has specific connections to graduate school programs or career paths where the University of La Verne brand opens doors, the combination of weak initial placement and above-average debt makes this a risky investment compared to alternatives within California's public university system.