Biotechnology programs
CIP 2612 · Biological & Biomedical Sciences · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
26 institutions report graduate earnings for Biotechnology programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $87,501 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30× and 96% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 1 of the 28 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard UniversityMA · Master's | $155,219 n=22 | — | — | — | Above +105% | — |
| 2 | Brown UniversityRI · Master's | $151,944 n=23 | — | $41,000 | 0.27× | Above +130% | — |
| 3 | Georgetown UniversityDC · Master's | $126,361 n=31 | 100% 5yr | $77,949 | 0.62× | Above +46% | Clears 2/2 |
| 4 | Northeastern UniversityMA · Master's | $125,179 n=25 | 100% 5yr | $35,470 | 0.28× | Above +65% | — |
| 5 | Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMA · Master's | $125,179 n=25 | 100% 5yr | $35,470 | 0.28× | Above +65% | — |
| 6 | Johns Hopkins UniversityMD · Master's | $123,994 n=375 | 96% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.33× | Above +63% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · Master's | $117,649 n=34 | 100% 1yr | $30,955 | 0.26× | Above +100% | — |
| 8 | University of Maryland Global CampusMD · Master's | $113,231 n=117 | 96% 5yr | $37,000 | 0.33× | Above +49% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | California State University-Channel IslandsCA · Master's | $110,845 n=21 | 96% 5yr | $30,861 | 0.28× | Above +47% | Clears 2/2 |
| 10 | Temple UniversityPA · Master's | $99,847 n=18 | — | $30,750 | 0.31× | Above +55% | — |
| 11 | California State University-San MarcosCA · Master's | $92,859 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +23% | — |
| 12 | Worcester State UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $90,565 n=27 | 88% 5yr | $17,455 | 0.19× | Above +108% | Clears 2/2 |
| 13 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Bachelor's | $87,600 n=33 | 86% 1yr | $21,500 | 0.24× | Above +119% | — |
| 14 | Syracuse UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $87,596 n=16 | — | $27,000 | 0.31× | Above +130% | — |
| 15 | University of California-DavisCA · Bachelor's | $87,406 n=40 | 97% 5yr | $12,843 | 0.15× | Above +127% | Clears 2/2 |
| 16 | North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · Post-bacc cert | $87,068 n=20 | 79% 1yr | — | — | Above +48% | — |
| 17 | Rush UniversityIL · Master's | $85,207 n=17 | — | $33,154 | 0.39× | Above +24% | — |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonWI · Master's | $83,354 n=24 | 92% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.49× | Above +35% | Clears 2/2 |
| 19 | University of HoustonTX · Bachelor's | $78,750 n=65 | 88% 5yr | $17,250 | 0.22× | Above +120% | Clears 2/2 |
| 20 | Endicott CollegeMA · Bachelor's | $78,735 n=27 | 100% 5yr | $25,300 | 0.32× | Above +81% | Clears 2/2 |
| 21 | California State University-San MarcosCA · Bachelor's | $76,622 n=16 | 100% 5yr | $16,500 | 0.21× | Above +99% | Clears 2/2 |
| 22 | Rochester Institute of TechnologyNY · Bachelor's | $74,613 n=28 | 91% 5yr | $23,937 | 0.32× | Above +96% | Clears 2/2 |
| 23 | California State University-NorthridgeCA · Bachelor's | $73,542 n=40 | 93% 5yr | $20,618 | 0.28× | Above +91% | Clears 2/2 |
| 24 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaCA · Bachelor's | $73,152 n=35 | 90% 5yr | $17,562 | 0.24× | Above +90% | Clears 2/2 |
| 25 | James Madison UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $65,893 n=18 | — | $21,000 | 0.32× | Above +73% | — |
| 26 | University of Alabama at BirminghamAL · Master's | $65,277 n=23 | — | $20,500 | 0.31× | Above +14% | — |
| 27 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusCO · Master's | $63,591 n=17 | — | — | — | Below -6% | — |
| 28 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsCO · Bachelor's | $55,981 n=39 | 63% 1yr | $18,386 | 0.33× | Above +35% | — |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $125,179 | 5 |
| California | $82,014 | 6 |
States with at least 3 reporting Biotechnology programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Biotechnology programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Biotechnology programs in this dataset are Harvard University ($155,219), Brown University ($151,944), Georgetown University ($126,361). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Biotechnology programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 1 of the 28 Biotechnology programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.