Biology at Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State's biology program performs exactly where you'd expect for a moderately selective HBCU serving predominantly low-income students—middle of the pack nationally but solidly above average for North Carolina. Starting at $30,719, graduates earn slightly less than the national median but actually exceed the state median of $30,692, landing at the 60th percentile among North Carolina biology programs. The debt load of $27,446 is remarkably well-managed, ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of programs leave students with more debt).

The tradeoff here is straightforward: you're trading top-tier earnings potential for accessibility and manageable debt. Graduates start earning about $13,000 less than those from Meredith or NC State, but they're also not taking on crushing loans. With 61% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves students who might not have other options, and the 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio means the investment is defensible. Earnings grow 16% by year four, which isn't spectacular but shows steady progression.

For families focused purely on maximizing ROI, the stronger NC State programs offer better returns. But for students who need a supportive environment with an admission rate near 70% and reasonable debt, Winston-Salem State delivers solid value—you're getting typical biology program outcomes without the financial strain that often accompanies them.