Biotechnology at Worcester State University

Worcester State's biotechnology program reports remarkable outcomes—$70,124 in first-year earnings that put it in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among Massachusetts programs. That's $18,000 above the state median and nearly $50,000 above the national typical graduate. Combined with manageable debt of $22,056, this creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in about four months of gross salary.

The significant caveat here is sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could reflect a handful of exceptional outcomes rather than what most students experience. The earnings plateau between years 1 and 4 is also worth noting—growth of just 3% suggests either career-path limitations or that these graduates are hitting their compensation ceiling early. Still, even if actual outcomes prove somewhat lower, there's substantial cushion above both state and national benchmarks.

For families concerned about ROI, this program delivers strong numbers on paper at an accessible institution with a 90% admission rate. Just recognize that the small sample means you're making a decision with less certainty than you'd have for larger programs. The low debt load provides a safety net even if your student's experience doesn't match these impressive medians.