Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences at William Jewell College

A Bachelor's in Cell/Cellular Biology at William Jewell comes with an estimated $17,500 in debt—meaningfully lower than the $20,422 national median for biology programs and well below Missouri State's $24,251. That's a significant advantage when first-year earnings for comparable programs hover around $35,393 nationally and just $30,643 at Missouri State. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 suggests graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about six months of gross income, which positions this program more favorably than many science degrees.

The caveat is that these figures come from peer institutions rather than William Jewell's actual graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty in projecting outcomes. Biology degrees often serve as stepping stones to graduate or professional programs—medical school, research PhDs, physician assistant programs—where the real earnings potential lies. If your student plans to continue their education immediately, that $17,500 debt load becomes even more manageable as it won't compound during additional schooling years. However, for those entering the workforce directly, understand that entry-level biology positions typically don't command high salaries.

The selective admissions (34% acceptance rate) and reasonable debt burden create a foundation worth considering, particularly if graduate school is part of the plan. Just recognize you're working with educated guesses about outcomes rather than a proven track record from this specific program.