Analysis
Westminster College's biology program produces first-year earnings of just $27,467—about $5,000 below the national average and nearly $8,000 below Pennsylvania's median for biology majors. Among the 85 Pennsylvania schools offering biology degrees, this places Westminster in the bottom quarter (25th percentile). That's a significant gap in a state where many biology programs start graduates above $40,000 annually.
The debt picture provides little consolation. While the $27,000 median debt sits at the national average for biology programs, it nearly equals the entire first-year salary, creating an immediate financial strain that most biology graduates don't face. Pennsylvania graduates from stronger programs typically earn enough to make similar debt loads more manageable within a few years.
The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious consideration of alternatives. Pennsylvania offers numerous biology programs where graduates start $15,000-$18,000 higher, which compounds dramatically over a career. Unless Westminster offers compelling personal fit factors or significant merit aid to reduce that debt burden, families should examine other Pennsylvania options where the biology degree translates into substantially better early earnings.
Where Westminster College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Westminster College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (85 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Westminster CollegeNew Wilmington | $39,470 | $27,467 | — | $27,000 | 0.98 |
 Lehigh UniversityBethlehem | $62,180 | $45,695 | $52,512 | $23,128 | 0.51 |
 Holy Family UniversityPhiladelphia | $33,968 | $44,567 | — | $28,500 | 0.64 |
 Marywood UniversityScranton | $39,570 | $43,968 | $51,631 | $27,000 | 0.61 |
 East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg | $11,036 | $43,182 | $47,690 | $27,000 | 0.63 |
 DeSales UniversityCenter Valley | $44,800 | $42,751 | $65,437 | $27,000 | 0.63 |
| National Median | — | $32,316 | — | $25,000 | 0.77 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Forensic Science Technicians
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Biological Technicians
Agricultural Technicians
Precision Agriculture Technicians
Food Science Technicians
Biological Scientists, All Other
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 Westminster College, approximately 25% 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 18 graduates with reported earnings and 34 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.