Biology at Western Washington University

Western Washington's biology program offers something increasingly rare: manageable debt paired with strong earnings growth. At just $17,003, graduates carry one-third less debt than the typical Washington biology major and nearly $8,000 less than the national average—placing this among the lowest-debt biology programs in the country. The initial $33,871 salary trails the state median, but by year four, earnings jump 35% to $45,746, eventually surpassing most biology bachelor's programs.

The tradeoff here is clear. Your child will likely start behind peers from UW's campuses (which pay $38,716 in year one) but will do so with dramatically less financial burden. For context, this program sits at the 40th percentile for Washington biology earnings—middle of the pack in a relatively strong state for this degree. That positioning becomes more attractive when you factor in the debt advantage and the earnings trajectory that brings graduates closer to the top tier within a few years.

For a biology major who's considering graduate school or uncertain about their exact career path, starting with minimal debt provides valuable flexibility. The program ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for earnings while maintaining exceptional affordability. That's a defensive but sensible position for a degree that often serves as a stepping stone rather than a final destination.