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 →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $12,643 | $31,488 | — | $18,125 | 0.58 | |
| $62,484 | $50,179 | $69,843 | $12,500 | 0.25 | |
| $68,230 | $42,162 | $59,566 | $16,500 | 0.39 | |
| $48,311 | $39,612 | $47,720 | $25,500 | 0.64 | |
| $13,747 | $33,628 | $73,339 | $12,500 | 0.37 | |
| $7,382 | $31,891 | — | $11,000 | 0.34 | |
| National Median | — | $31,690 | — | $17,312 | 0.55 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human biology graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
Anthropologists and Archeologists
Biological Scientists, All Other
Bioinformatics Scientists
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Geneticists
Biologists
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
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.