Biology at Virginia Union University

Virginia Union's biology program produces earnings slightly above both the national and Virginia medians for the major—sitting in the 60th percentile statewide—but couples this with debt levels that rank in the 95th percentile nationally. With graduates owing $33,700 while earning $32,986 in their first year, the immediate financial picture is essentially break-even, and even four years out, earnings of $37,362 leave little breathing room for rapid debt payoff.

The 13% earnings growth from year one to year four is positive but modest, and the gap between Virginia Union graduates and those from top-performing Virginia programs like VMI ($43,797) or Hampden-Sydney ($41,876) is substantial—roughly $6,000 to $10,000 annually. Given that the university serves a predominantly first-generation and Pell-eligible population (51%), many students are counting on post-graduation earnings to justify their investment. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes, but those outcomes involve taking on above-average debt for middle-of-the-pack earnings.

For families weighing this choice: understand that you're looking at manageable but not exceptional earnings coupled with debt levels higher than what most biology majors elsewhere assume. If your child has admission options at Virginia's public universities or lower-debt alternatives, the financial calculus may favor those paths unless Virginia Union offers specific mission fit or support systems that justify the premium.