Biology at University of North Dakota

The trajectory here matters more than the starting point. University of North Dakota biology graduates earn just $28,056 their first year out—below both the national and state medians—but by year four, incomes surge to $60,146. That 114% growth rate suggests many graduates are using the degree as intended: as a stepping stone to graduate programs in health professions or research fields where the real payoff comes later.

The $22,500 debt load is reasonable, especially given that explosive earnings growth. While the program ranks at just the 40th percentile among North Dakota biology programs (trailing North Dakota State by roughly $6,000 initially), that gap closes significantly as careers progress. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80 looks manageable once you recognize that first-year figure is temporary for most graduates.

The critical question is whether your child will follow through to that second phase—medical school, physician assistant programs, or advanced degrees where biology serves as prerequisite coursework. If they're planning to stop at the bachelor's level and work immediately, the weak first-year earnings should concern you. But for students treating this as pre-professional training, the numbers tell a more promising story about UND preparing graduates for competitive next steps.