Biology at University of North Carolina Asheville

UNC Asheville's biology program sits squarely in the middle tier for North Carolina—ranking at the 40th percentile statewide—which means half of the state's biology programs deliver better immediate outcomes. First-year graduates earn $27,943, trailing the state median by nearly $3,000 and falling $4,000 short of the national benchmark. For context, biology graduates from NC State start $8,000 higher, while East Carolina grads earn $11,000 more right out of the gate.

The manageable debt load of $23,250 offers some relief, coming in below both state and national medians. The 0.83 debt-to-earnings ratio is reasonable, though the low starting salary means graduates will still feel the monthly payment pinch. Earnings do improve to $34,000 by year four, showing 22% growth, but that trajectory still leaves them below what many comparable programs deliver in year one.

For parents, this program represents a modest value proposition that relies heavily on graduate school or career pivots to pay off. If your child is certain about biology but needs to stay in North Carolina, several public universities offer notably stronger earning potential at similar or lower costs. UNC Asheville's small class environment may justify the investment for some students, but the financial return alone doesn't distinguish it from more affordable alternatives in the state system.