Biology at Western Connecticut State University

Western Connecticut State's biology program lands right in the middle of Connecticut's offerings—just above the state median at $37,787 first-year earnings. While the small sample size means these numbers could shift, the 60th percentile ranking against other Connecticut biology programs suggests this is a solid mid-tier option in a state where programs vary widely, from Trinity's $52,000 to much lower-earning alternatives.

The real strength here is the debt picture: at $27,000, graduates carry manageable loans with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71—better than 95% of biology programs nationally. This matters because biology graduates often pursue additional education or entry-level research positions with modest starting pay. The modest 5% earnings growth over four years is typical for the field, where career advancement frequently requires graduate school. Nationally, this program actually ranks in the 83rd percentile, outperforming most biology programs despite Connecticut's competitive landscape.

For families weighing in-state tuition costs, this program delivers reasonable value: middle-of-the-pack earnings with below-average debt. It won't match Trinity or Quinnipiac's outcomes, but it costs considerably less to attend. If your child plans on graduate school—common for biology majors—keeping undergraduate debt this low becomes even more important. Just remember these figures are based on a small graduating class, so individual outcomes may vary more than usual.