Biology at University of Puget Sound

University of Puget Sound's biology program starts graduates at just $30,000—well below Washington's state median of $35,000 and ranking in the 40th percentile among state biology programs. That puts it about $8,500 behind nearby University of Washington campuses right out of the gate. However, the trajectory tells a different story: earnings jump 60% by year four to $48,000, outpacing what most Washington biology programs deliver at that stage.

The debt picture is reasonable at $24,654, creating a manageable 0.82 ratio to first-year earnings. This is close to national norms for biology programs, though Washington students typically graduate with slightly less debt ($22,000 median). The real question for families is whether that difficult first year—when graduates earn $5,000 less than the state median—is worth the stronger mid-career outlook. For pre-med students or those planning graduate school, those early wages may matter less than the program's academic rigor (average SAT of 1332 suggests strong students). For graduates heading straight to work, that initial earnings gap represents real financial stress.

The practical takeaway: this program appears better suited for students with graduate school plans or family support to weather low starting salaries. Those needing strong immediate earnings to manage debt payments should seriously consider the University of Washington system or other in-state options that start graduates $6,000-8,000 higher.