Biology at Webster University

Webster University's biology program produces graduates earning $32,757 in their first year—slightly above the national median but trailing most Missouri biology programs by several thousand dollars. While the debt load of $20,679 is manageable (about 8 months of first-year salary), Missouri families should note that state flagships and regional universities like Missouri Western and UMKC produce biology graduates earning $40,000+ right out of school. That $8,000 annual difference compounds significantly over a career.

The earnings do grow 14% by year four, reaching $37,227, but this still lags behind what top Missouri programs deliver immediately after graduation. For a biology degree—often a stepping stone to graduate programs in medicine or research—starting salary matters less than debt burden if you're heading straight to more schooling. The relatively low debt here is an advantage in that scenario.

The significant caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so your child's experience could vary considerably. If Webster offers specific advantages like location, smaller class sizes, or research opportunities that align with pre-med or graduate school goals, those factors might justify the tradeoff. But purely on earnings potential within Missouri, this program doesn't compete with the state's larger universities that combine similar or lower debt with substantially higher starting salaries.