Analysis
The University of Oregon's biology program performs solidly above the state median ($30,982) but trails the top Oregon option by nearly $7,000 in first-year earnings. More importantly, look at the trajectory: graduates see 21% earnings growth by year four, reaching $42,829—a pattern suggesting they're landing jobs with genuine advancement potential rather than retail or service positions that often trap biology graduates.
The debt picture is reasonable at $25,400, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 that most families can manage with standard repayment plans. This ranks in the 60th percentile among Oregon biology programs, meaning graduates earn more than most in-state peers while taking on typical debt loads. Nationally, the program sits in the 71st percentile for earnings, indicating UO's reputation and location provide an edge over biology programs at less selective schools.
The real question is whether your student plans to pursue graduate school—most biology majors do. If medical school or a PhD is the goal, these numbers are less critical than research opportunities and GPA. But for students planning to work immediately after graduation, this program delivers mid-range outcomes at a flagship university price point. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests data reliability without red flags.
Where University of Oregon Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Oregon 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 Oregon | $35,483 | $42,829 | +21% |
| Willamette University | $25,100 | $53,079 | +111% |
| Western Oregon University | $25,726 | $52,553 | +104% |
| Pacific University | $34,612 | $44,914 | +30% |
| George Fox University | $33,523 | $44,372 | +32% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon
Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (19 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of OregonEugene | $15,669 | $35,483 | $42,829 | $25,400 | 0.72 |
 Linfield UniversityMcMinnville | $49,530 | $42,677 | — | $27,000 | 0.63 |
 Eastern Oregon UniversityLa Grande | $10,671 | $35,435 | — | $20,916 | 0.59 |
 Pacific UniversityForest Grove | $54,466 | $34,612 | $44,914 | $26,021 | 0.75 |
 Southern Oregon UniversityAshland | $12,093 | $33,930 | $37,055 | $27,000 | 0.80 |
 George Fox UniversityNewberg | $40,940 | $33,523 | $44,372 | $27,000 | 0.81 |
| 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 Oregon, approximately 22% 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 78 graduates with reported earnings and 81 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.