Biology at Ursinus College

Ursinus College's biology program charges premium tuition but delivers results that justify the investment, particularly for students who don't immediately pursue graduate school. While first-year earnings of $38,360 sit solidly above both national and Pennsylvania medians, the real story emerges by year four: graduates earning $60,075 represent 57% growth and performance that outpaces 86% of biology programs nationwide. The $27,000 median debt—matching the state average but only marginally higher than the national figure—creates a manageable 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio that's well within healthy parameters.

The Pennsylvania context reveals an interesting pattern. At the 60th percentile statewide, Ursinus doesn't crack the top tier dominated by programs like Lehigh and Holy Family. However, those rankings focus on immediate post-graduation earnings, when many Ursinus graduates may be pursuing additional education or training. The stronger national percentile (86th) and exceptional earnings growth suggest the program either attracts students who continue their education before entering the workforce at higher salaries, or provides preparation that translates into faster career advancement than typical biology programs.

For families willing to invest in a small liberal arts environment, Ursinus offers reasonable debt paired with earnings that accelerate substantially after graduation. The key question is whether your student plans to work immediately after graduation or pursue graduate or professional school—the latter path would explain and potentially justify the initially moderate earnings.