Biology at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

UW-Tacoma's Biology program punches well above its weight nationally while charging a fraction of what most schools do. The $14,223 median debt is exceptional—just over one-third of what the typical biology graduate owes—while first-year earnings of $38,716 match those from the flagship Seattle campus and rank in the 88th percentile nationally. This combination creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, meaning graduates owe less than five months of salary, far better than the typical biology program.

The trajectory looks solid too, with earnings jumping 38% to $53,261 by year four. One consideration: at the 60th percentile among Washington biology programs, this isn't the state's absolute top performer, suggesting local competition from the flagship and a few private schools. Still, when you're matching the earnings of UW-Seattle while borrowing roughly half as much, that's a meaningful advantage for families watching costs.

For parents concerned about biology's reputation as a financially challenging major, this program flips that script. The low debt burden means graduates have breathing room to pursue graduate school, competitive internships, or entry-level research positions without immediate financial pressure. At an 83% admission rate, this represents an accessible path to a biology degree that doesn't saddle students with typical science-major debt.