Biology, General bachelor's degree outcomes at Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public · Federal field 2601

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings trail the same-degree benchmark.

$7,034 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 51.9% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −78% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+95%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$28,381 → $55,306

—Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

45Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

72Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

136Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$22,582Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$13,315

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$26,037

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$50,180

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$276/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

Enter my price →

AVERAGE NET PRICE$13,315Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$19,992Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE81.8%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE60.3%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$28,381Year 1

$50,180Year 4

$55,306Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

6.6% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$4,182

Estimated loan payment$276

136borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$50,180 vs. $57,214

$7,034 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$77,700 median wageNC estimate · 1,960 jobs · 25-1042+7.3% projected U.S. growth · 4.7k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeBiological Technicians$61,720 median wageNC estimate · 2,460 jobs · 19-4021+7.4% projected U.S. growth · 9.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeNatural Sciences Managers$173,870 median wageNC estimate · 6,010 jobs · 11-9121+8.2% projected U.S. growth · 9.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeMedical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$102,980 median wageNC estimate · 5,730 jobs · 19-1042+12.6% projected U.S. growth · 10.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeBiological Scientists, All Other$100,070 median wageNC estimate · 2,780 jobs · 19-1029+4.7% projected U.S. growth · 4.3k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeLife Scientists, All Other$93,750 median wageU.S. estimate · 7,460 jobs · 19-1099+6.3% projected U.S. growth · 0.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeForensic Science Technicians$59,240 median wageNC estimate · 520 jobs · 19-4092+13.3% projected U.S. growth · 2.8k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$57,650 median wageNC estimate · 28,620 jobs · 25-2031-0.2% projected U.S. growth · 63.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeAgricultural Technicians$51,470 median wageNC estimate · 550 jobs · 19-4012+5.4% projected U.S. growth · 2.8k openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degreeFood Science Technicians$48,640 median wageNC estimate · 130 jobs · 19-4013+4.8% projected U.S. growth · 3k openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degree

Possible alternatives