Biology at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Nebraska-Lincoln's biology program starts with a troubling first year—graduates earn just $24,063, landing in the 5th percentile nationally and trailing every other Nebraska biology program by a wide margin. However, the program's defining feature is its dramatic earnings recovery: by year four, graduates reach $47,674, nearly doubling their income and surpassing the state median by nearly $15,000. This trajectory suggests many graduates are pursuing medical, dental, or graduate programs that delay but ultimately boost their earning potential.

The debt load of $25,342 appears manageable given the eventual earnings, but that first year creates real financial pressure—the 1.05 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe more than they earn initially. If your child plans to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, this program underperforms significantly. The top five Nebraska programs all show much stronger immediate outcomes, with Bellevue graduates earning nearly 70% more in year one.

This program makes sense primarily as a pre-professional pathway. If medical school, pharmacy, or graduate research is the goal, the low first-year earnings matter less, and the strong four-year mark suggests adequate preparation. For students seeking immediate employment with just a bachelor's degree, however, the delayed earnings trajectory and weak initial placement make this a risky choice—particularly when Nebraska-Omaha or Bellevue deliver better outcomes at similar or lower debt levels.