Biology at University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon

UPR-Bayamon's Biology graduates face a challenging financial reality despite the program's strong relative performance within Puerto Rico. While earnings of $22,338 place this program in the 80th percentile among Puerto Rican biology programs—actually leading the state's top five programs—these graduates earn just $32 per hour on a full-time basis, landing in the 5th percentile nationally. The $5,500 median debt is remarkably low (5th percentile nationally, less than a quarter of the national median), which makes the 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio manageable compared to biology programs elsewhere. Nearly four in five students here receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves students with limited alternatives.

The real question is whether biology makes sense as a terminal bachelor's degree in Puerto Rico's economy, where even the best programs struggle to generate living wages. These numbers suggest biology here functions more as pre-professional training—preparation for graduate school, medical school, or relocation—than as a standalone credential. If your student plans to pursue advanced degrees or move to the mainland, the minimal debt gives them flexibility. If they're planning to work in Puerto Rico immediately after graduation, understand they're looking at earnings well below what biology graduates earn elsewhere, even if UPR-Bayamon outperforms most local alternatives.