Biology at University of the Cumberlands

University of the Cumberlands biology graduates earn just under $28,000 in their first year—about $4,500 below the national average for biology majors. That would be more concerning if not for Kentucky context: this actually beats the state median for biology programs, placing it solidly mid-pack among Kentucky schools. Still, when Northern Kentucky University biology grads earn nearly $39,000 and even UK grads clear $31,000, families should recognize they're not getting top-tier Kentucky outcomes here.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $20,318, graduates owe about $5,000 less than typical biology majors nationally and roughly $4,000 less than the Kentucky median. The 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio means students are borrowing less than one year's salary, which is manageable territory. Given that nearly half of students receive Pell grants, the lower debt burden matters—these aren't families with easy access to alternative financing.

The caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances heavily influence these numbers. For a Kentucky family committed to staying in-state and seeking a smaller Christian college environment, the combination of below-average debt and middle-of-the-pack Kentucky earnings makes this workable. But students serious about biology careers should know they're accepting a significant earnings gap compared to Kentucky's flagship and regional universities, particularly if graduate school isn't immediately in the plans.