Biology at University of Rhode Island

URI's biology program stands out nationally, with graduates earning $45,846 their first year—42% above the national median for biology majors and placing in the 95th percentile nationwide. That's remarkable for a program at a school with a 77% admission rate. Within Rhode Island, it trails only Roger Williams but comfortably beats Brown University, which costs significantly more.

The debt picture strengthens the case. At $24,215, graduates carry slightly less debt than typical biology majors while earning substantially more, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53—meaning graduates earn nearly twice their debt in their first year alone. By year four, earnings climb to $58,218, a 27% increase that suggests strong career trajectory rather than a dead-end entry wage.

For parents worried about their child's biology degree leading to barista work, this data tells a different story. URI graduates are landing jobs that pay immediately, and those positions lead somewhere. The combination of accessible admission, reasonable debt, and genuinely strong outcomes makes this one of the better biology investments in New England, particularly for families who can take advantage of in-state tuition.