Biology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's biology graduates earn nearly $52,000 in their first year—60% more than the national median and roughly $10,000 above Massachusetts' median for the field. That's an impressive start for a program that sits in the 95th percentile nationally, especially given the state's concentration of strong life sciences programs. The trajectory looks even better: earnings jump to nearly $72,000 by year four, a 39% increase that suggests graduates are landing in positions with real advancement potential.

The financial picture is notably clean. At $27,000, debt is right at the state median and actually below the national average, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52—meaning graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary. That's manageable by any standard, particularly for a field where many students continue to graduate school. The one caveat worth noting: while WPI ranks exceptionally well nationally, it falls in the 60th percentile within Massachusetts. That's still solid, but schools like Curry College and UMass-Lowell show slightly higher first-year earnings at comparable or lower debt levels.

For families willing to invest in WPI's rigorous STEM environment, this program delivers strong outcomes with reasonable debt. The earnings growth over four years suggests graduates aren't just finding jobs—they're building careers with upward momentum.