Biology at Williams College

Williams College biology graduates carry remarkably low debt—just $13,454 compared to the state median of $27,000—but their first-year earnings of $41,213 land them in the middle of the pack among Massachusetts biology programs. This creates an unusual dynamic: Williams outperforms 95% of biology programs nationally yet sits at the 40th percentile within its own state, where schools like Worcester Polytechnic and UMass-Lowell place graduates earning $10,000+ more right out of the gate.

The real question is what happens after that first year. The 35% earnings growth to $55,503 by year four suggests Williams graduates may be entering competitive graduate programs or pursuing research positions that start modestly but build momentum. That career trajectory, combined with minimal debt burden, means these students aren't financially constrained early on—a significant advantage if they're headed to medical school, PhD programs, or specialized training where the real payoff comes later.

For parents, this comes down to whether your child needs immediate post-graduation earnings or can afford a slower financial ramp-up. The debt picture is excellent, and Williams' 10% admission rate signals the academic rigor that graduate programs value. But if your student plans to work straight through with their bachelor's degree, several less selective Massachusetts schools deliver stronger initial returns.