Physiology, Pathology at University of Miami

University of Miami's physiology and pathology program shows a dramatic earnings trajectory that ultimately delivers solid results, though the journey requires patience. Graduates earn just $28,243 in their first year—below both national and state medians—but reach $55,631 by year four, nearly doubling their income. Among Florida's nine programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, meaningfully ahead of flagship options like UF ($24,588) and FSU ($23,574), though those figures may reflect different measurement periods.

The $18,300 debt load is manageable relative to that four-year earning power, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 that looks reasonable once you reach mid-career. The catch is that first year: many physiology graduates pursue additional training or graduate school, which explains both the low initial earnings and the subsequent jump. If your student plans to work immediately after graduation, that $28,243 starting point matters more than the later gains.

The real concern here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort—which makes these numbers less reliable than data from larger programs. For families paying University of Miami's private school tuition, you're making a significant bet on uncertain outcomes. This program makes sense if your student is using it as a pre-med or pre-graduate school foundation, but less so if they need strong immediate earnings after the bachelor's degree.