Biology at University of Pikeville

University of Pikeville's biology program carries just $21,128 in median debt—about $4,000 less than typical Kentucky biology graduates. That's the good news. The challenging part is what graduates earn: around $28,000 initially, which barely budges over the first four years and actually dips slightly. Among Kentucky's 25 biology programs, this lands in the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning it outperforms many in-state options despite falling below the national median.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 is manageable, particularly for a school where 40% of students receive Pell grants and likely have limited alternatives. However, parents should understand that $28,000 doesn't leave much financial cushion after loan payments, rent, and basic expenses—especially in those crucial early career years. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures, so individual outcomes could vary significantly.

If your child is committed to biology and planning graduate or professional school, the lower debt load matters more than the modest starting salary. But if they're expecting this bachelor's to launch a career immediately, programs like Northern Kentucky University ($39,000 median earnings) or University of Kentucky ($31,000) offer noticeably stronger earning potential, even if debt runs slightly higher.