Median Earnings (1yr)
$32,782
53rd percentile
60th percentile in Texas
Median Debt
$24,000
4% below national median

Analysis

UNT's biology program demonstrates unusual momentum for a bachelor's degree, with graduates seeing their earnings jump 44% between years one and four—substantially outpacing the typical biology trajectory. That $47,242 four-year mark puts graduates well ahead of both the national median ($32,316) and Texas state average ($30,432), ranking this program in the 60th percentile among Texas biology programs. This growth pattern suggests graduates are successfully transitioning from entry-level lab positions into more specialized roles or graduate programs that pay dividends relatively quickly.

The $24,000 median debt sits right at the national norm and slightly above the Texas average, translating to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73. While the first-year earnings of $32,782 aren't remarkable, they're competitive with most Texas biology programs—only private universities like SMU and smaller specialized schools show significantly higher starting figures. The strong earnings trajectory matters more here than the starting point.

For parents concerned about biology's reputation for requiring graduate school to earn decent money, UNT's data offers reassurance. The robust sample size confirms these aren't flukes, and the combination of reasonable debt with accelerating earnings creates a solid foundation—whether graduates pursue immediate careers or use those earnings to fund further education. At 72% admission rate, this represents an accessible path to above-average outcomes in a crowded field.

Where University of North Texas Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of North Texas graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of North Texas$32,782$47,242+44%
The University of Texas at Austin$31,832$54,042+70%
Texas A&M University-College Station$29,028$53,216+83%
Texas Woman's University$31,367$52,586+68%
The University of Texas at Dallas$26,029$50,623+94%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (70 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of North TexasDenton$11,164$32,782$47,242$24,0000.73
Southern Methodist UniversityDallas$64,460$39,087$44,885$22,1250.57
University of Mary Hardin-BaylorBelton$33,150$36,637$27,0000.74
University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston$7,746$35,591$50,154$19,9530.56
Texas State UniversitySan Marcos$11,450$34,516$46,634$24,0000.70
Saint Edward's UniversityAustin$51,384$33,597$49,126$26,0000.77
National Median$32,316$25,0000.77

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forensic Science Technicians

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

$67,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Agricultural Technicians

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Precision Agriculture Technicians

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

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 North Texas, approximately 36% 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 316 graduates with reported earnings and 401 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.