Location: Virginia Beach, VA•In-State Tuition: $36,960•Admission Rate: 71%•Avg SAT: 1281
Median Earnings (1yr)
$30,921
42nd percentile
40th percentile in Virginia
Median Debt
$26,625
6% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.86 ManageableSample: 17 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Virginia Wesleyan's biology program produces first-year earnings of $30,921—below both the state median ($32,457) and national average ($32,316). Among Virginia's 38 biology programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten biology programs statewide deliver better initial outcomes. Compare this to Virginia Military Institute's biology grads earning $43,797, or even mid-tier programs like Roanoke College at $37,458—the earnings gap is substantial.

The debt burden of $26,625 creates an 0.86 debt-to-earnings ratio, which technically stays under the 1.0 threshold that signals financial stress. However, with earnings below $31,000, graduates face tight budgets even with manageable debt loads. The combination of below-average earnings and moderate debt doesn't position graduates particularly well for either immediate financial stability or pursuing graduate school (which many biology majors need for career advancement).

An important caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances heavily influence these numbers. That said, the pattern is consistent—below-average earnings both statewide and nationally suggest this program isn't delivering competitive outcomes. For families considering this investment, understand that Virginia offers biology programs with significantly stronger earnings trajectories at similar or lower costs. Unless there's a compelling non-financial reason to attend Virginia Wesleyan, exploring alternatives would be prudent.

Where Virginia Wesleyan University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally

Virginia Wesleyan UniversityOther biology programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Virginia Wesleyan University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Virginia Wesleyan University earns $31k — 42th percentile among biology bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (38 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityVirginia Beach$36,960$30,921—$26,6250.86
Virginia Military InstituteLexington$20,484$43,797$63,600$23,0000.53
Hampden-Sydney CollegeHampden-Sydney$52,388$41,876$48,487$24,5000.59
Shenandoah UniversityWinchester$36,028$40,980$53,262$23,2500.57
Roanoke CollegeSalem$36,774$37,458$51,790$27,0000.72
University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond$62,600$36,300$52,909$20,0640.55
National Median—$32,316—$25,0000.77

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forensic Science Technicians

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

$67,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Agricultural Technicians

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Precision Agriculture Technicians

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

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 Virginia Wesleyan University, approximately 26% 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 17 graduates with reported earnings and 26 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.