Biology at Westfield State University

Westfield State's biology program punches well above the national average—graduates earn about $10,000 more than the typical biology bachelor's holder—but that impressive 95th percentile national ranking tells only half the story. Within Massachusetts, where competition is fierce and life sciences opportunities abound, these outcomes land squarely in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile. Your student will earn slightly more than the state median ($42,776 vs. $41,879), but they'll trail peers at Worcester Poly by nearly $9,000 and even nearby public options like UMass Lowell by roughly $4,000.

The financial picture itself is clean: $27,000 in debt against first-year earnings of $42,776 yields a manageable 0.63 ratio, and earnings grow steadily to nearly $50,000 by year four. That's the kind of trajectory that makes loan repayment straightforward. For a family seeking an affordable state school option in biology, this delivers solid results without the sticker shock of private competitors.

The practical calculus here depends on your alternatives. If you're comparing Westfield to out-of-state publics or pricier Massachusetts privates, this represents excellent value—solid earnings at modest debt. But if your student gained admission to UMass Lowell or Worcester State at similar costs, those programs edge ahead on initial earning power. Westfield works best for students who need the accessibility of an 81% acceptance rate paired with outcomes that won't leave them struggling financially after graduation.