Biology at University of Missouri-Kansas City

UMKC's Biology program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for graduate earnings—a remarkable outcome that far exceeds what you'd expect from a school with a 75% admission rate. While it sits at the 60th percentile within Missouri (where several strong programs compete), graduates here earn $40,483 in their first year, well above both the state and national medians. More importantly, earnings jump 31% to $53,097 by year four, suggesting graduates are successfully moving into better positions or professional school pathways.

The debt picture reinforces the value proposition. At $21,500, graduates carry about $3,500 less debt than the national median for biology programs, and the 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio means the typical graduate owes roughly half their first-year salary. This is manageable territory, especially given the strong earnings trajectory. Within Missouri, only Missouri Western State slightly edges out UMKC for first-year earnings, but UMKC offers a comparable outcome at a research university that likely provides more opportunities for students considering graduate or professional programs.

For a biology major—where many students pursue further education in medicine, research, or related fields—UMKC delivers exceptional preparation without the premium debt load you'd find at more selective institutions. The combination of top-tier national earnings performance and below-average debt makes this one of the stronger biology investments in the Midwest.