Biology at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The first-year earnings of $18,690 look alarming, but biology graduates from UL Lafayette follow an unusual trajectory—their salaries nearly triple to $52,000 by year four, ultimately exceeding both the national and Louisiana medians for biology programs. This dramatic growth suggests many graduates either pursue additional certifications, enter competitive graduate programs, or need time to break into their target fields. Among Louisiana's 23 biology programs, this still ranks in just the 10th percentile for early earnings, trailing schools like UNO and Southeastern Louisiana by substantial margins.

The $21,500 in debt is manageable and below the state median, which matters given that rough first year financially. The real question is whether your family can support your child through what appears to be a challenging transition period—whether that's graduate school applications, additional training, or entry-level positions that don't yet reflect a biology degree's value. The 178% earnings growth is impressive, but those initial months could require financial help or significant lifestyle adjustments.

For families who can weather that first year, the long-term numbers work. But if your child needs to be financially independent immediately after graduation or is uncertain about graduate school, programs at UNO or Southeastern Louisiana offer stronger early earnings without sacrificing the eventual payoff.