Analysis
UNH Manchester's biology program achieves something remarkable: graduates earn nearly 40% more than the national median for biology majors ($45,346 vs. $32,316), placing them in the 95th percentile nationally. Even more impressive, this earnings advantage comes with debt below the national median—just $27,000 compared to $25,000 nationally. The 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about seven months of their first-year salary, a manageable burden that few biology programs can match.
The state context reveals an interesting pattern. At $45,346, UNH Manchester matches the earnings of the flagship Durham campus and sits at the 60th percentile among New Hampshire biology programs—solidly middle-of-the-pack in a state where biology programs perform unusually well. This suggests the Manchester campus delivers flagship-quality outcomes at what's likely a more accessible price point, given its 87% admission rate. Strong earnings growth of 34% by year four indicates graduates are finding their footing in competitive fields, whether that's healthcare, research, or graduate school preparation.
For families weighing a biology degree, this program eliminates the typical risk: instead of graduating with mediocre earnings and substantial debt (the national norm), students here start strong and keep building. The combination of nationally elite earnings, manageable debt, and robust sample size makes this one of the more dependable biology investments available.
Where University of New Hampshire at Manchester Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of New Hampshire at Manchester graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire at Manchester | $45,346 | $60,936 | +34% |
| University of Detroit Mercy | $19,882 | $95,564 | +381% |
| Ohio Dominican University | $38,548 | $83,827 | +117% |
| University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | $45,346 | $60,936 | +34% |
| Keene State College | $43,624 | $51,753 | +19% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New Hampshire
Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Hampshire (11 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of New Hampshire at ManchesterManchester | $15,820 | $45,346 | $60,936 | $27,000 | 0.60 |
 University of New Hampshire-Main CampusDurham | $19,112 | $45,346 | $60,936 | $27,000 | 0.60 |
 Keene State CollegeKeene | $14,710 | $43,624 | $51,753 | $26,000 | 0.60 |
 Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth | $14,558 | $40,088 | — | $27,000 | 0.67 |
 Dartmouth CollegeHanover | $65,739 | $36,525 | — | $17,030 | 0.47 |
 Saint Anselm CollegeManchester | $46,810 | $33,820 | — | $27,000 | 0.80 |
| National Median | — | $32,316 | — | $25,000 | 0.77 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Forensic Science Technicians
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Biological Technicians
Agricultural Technicians
Precision Agriculture Technicians
Food Science Technicians
Biological Scientists, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of New Hampshire at Manchester, approximately 32% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 237 graduates with reported earnings and 275 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.