Biology at University of West Florida

University of West Florida biology graduates start well behind the national average—earning just $28,237 in their first year—but show impressive momentum, with 38% earnings growth by year four. More telling is how this program stacks up within Florida: it outperforms 60% of the state's biology programs despite first-year earnings sitting below the state median. The debt load of $18,500 is manageable, well below both state and national medians, which means graduates aren't crushed by payments while their careers gain traction.

The catch is that "gaining traction" still means earning less than what many community college biology programs deliver right out of the gate. St. Petersburg College and Miami Dade College graduates earn significantly more from day one. This suggests UWF biology students may be pursuing graduate school or research positions with slower initial compensation, or entering careers where experience matters more than starting salary. The strong growth trajectory supports this—these graduates appear to be on a career path rather than stuck in a rut.

For parents, this means accepting a tough first few years financially in exchange for reasonable debt and improving prospects. If your child needs immediate earning power to justify the investment, Florida's community colleges or FAMU would be safer bets. But if graduate school or a career with delayed rewards is the plan, UWF's low debt gives them runway to pursue it.