Median Earnings (1yr)
$31,488
49th percentile
Median Debt
$18,125
5% above national median

Analysis

UW-Seattle's Human Biology program lands squarely in the middle of the pack nationally, but performs above the Washington state median—though with only three schools offering this major in-state, that comparison has limited meaning. The $31,488 starting salary tracks closely with the national figure of $31,690, while the $18,125 in debt sits near typical levels. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, graduates can expect to pay roughly seven months of gross income toward their loans—manageable but not exceptional.

The real story here is trajectory: human biology degrees often serve as stepping stones to graduate programs in medicine, public health, or research rather than terminal career credentials. That $31,488 starting point matters less if your child plans to continue their education, but it becomes more concerning if they intend to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence in these numbers, so this is genuinely what to expect for direct employment.

For families planning on grad school, this program offers a respectable foundation at a well-regarded research university with moderate debt. For those expecting career-ready earnings at the bachelor's level, understand that this degree delivers median-tier outcomes in a field where advanced credentials typically drive higher compensation.

Where University of Washington-Seattle Campus Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all human biology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Human Biology bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle$12,643$31,488—$18,1250.58
Stanford UniversityStanford$62,484$50,179$69,843$12,5000.25
Brown UniversityProvidence$68,230$42,162$59,566$16,5000.39
Hamline UniversitySaint Paul$48,311$39,612$47,720$25,5000.64
University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles$13,747$33,628$73,339$12,5000.37
CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York$7,382$31,891—$11,0000.34
National Median—$31,690—$17,3120.55

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with human biology graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Anthropologists and Archeologists

Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.

$64,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

Bioinformatics Scientists

Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.

Geneticists

Research and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders.

Biologists

Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.

Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other

All social scientists and related workers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Washington-Seattle Campus, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 118 graduates with reported earnings and 123 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.