Consideration between Penns state and U Conn [and Rutgers; biology major, pre-med]

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21

Well, there is the size thing too:

UConn - 19,000 undergrads
Rutgers - 35,000 undergrads
Penn St - 41,000 undergrads

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22

Thank You all

23

The 41,000 from Penn state, Isn’t that count considering all satellite campuses or just from the main campus

24

I believe it’s the flagship.

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25

Just the main campus.

They’re all reported separately on the common data set at the PSU website.

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26

Even with the undergrad size difference, all are fine for a premed student

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27

Rutgers gives little to no merit for in state students (only honors which is super competitive), my kids were offered $22,000 a year from UCONN so is cost close to in state Rutgers, Penn State is also a university not generous with merit.

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28

If the student gets into med school
..it will not be because they chose UConn or Penn State over Rutgers.

If the student does not get into med school
it will not be because they attended Rutgers over the other 2.

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29

Bio as a major, if med school doesn’t work out, doesn’t have high paid outcomes.

For example, UCONN reports 2024 median salary of $42,796. To show a ‘higher” ranked school, UNC shows a median of $39,250 for 2024.

These schools (Penn State, UConn and Rutgers are equivalent. Rank doesn’t = rigor, btw. Lower ranked schools are sometimes more rigorous than higher priced.

In the end, it comes to affordability - if you can afford all and med school - pick. PSU is your huge football school. UConn your huge hoops school.

Forget med school other than budget - where do I want to spend four years, day after day.

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30

Many biology majors are working lower paying jobs while preparing to apply to grad or professional schools. Some are doing things like Teach for America, or Americorps. And some in the very recent past have done Peace Corps. Or work as a scribe, MA, EMT or CNA. None of these are high pay
but they are fine stepping stones to the next step.

If this probable premed wants to major in Biology, it’s fine.

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31

Many of those biology salaries reflect gap year positions, which are often temporary (it is not uncommon for some of these positions to be capped at 2 years) and obtained by students who will eventually apply to med school, OT, PT, PA, law school, and various other professions.

When it comes to biology, these first destination surveys often do not provide information in context.

This is a sample of 1, but my biology graduate worked before heading back to school and actually made a decent salary.

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32

Here’s the organizations from 2024hitting UConn biological sciences alums - I won’t portend to know what they are doing and what their next steps are. It’s a leap.

My daughter is in a public good program starting next month at a salary that begins with a 6. That might be location dependent - but simply sharing the data being reported. .

First pic is UConn employers. 2nd is UNC roles - UCONN didn’t list roles. Both 2024 bio majors. OP’s should know what they’re getting into should med school not work out - and statistically it won’t. So if today it’s a $40k-ish salary it’s something to think about. Yes some (50%) will make more. Some less as I posted medians.

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33

Remember that this is of students who actually send their data to UConn. And all don’t.

Again I say, these are very equivalent universities. Nothing special about any and no guarantees about med school admissions there (or any other college)

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34

Agreed. Schools can only provide data of who submits. Some believe those with lesser outcomes are more likely not to. But one can only use what’s given.

UNC, btw, reports more jobs than salaries. So some say what they are doing but not how much they are making. Some would argue those not reporting makes less but there’s no way to know.

But you use what you have if it interests the user.

In general, whatever the reason, at most schools, bio grads that report do show less salaries than other majors.

OP’s should be aware at the very least. They can decide on their own if that’s a concern.

35

Most of the roles (nursing excluded) are typical for premeds/prehealth. While it is nice to make a higher salary, that is usually not the priority.

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36

if you are instate for Rutgers, that’s a no-brainer.

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37

I don’t know the answer but for the majority that don’t secure a med school position, what might they pivot to next making a higher salary ?

The world is so pricey today that even grads making $75k+ will struggle in many areas.

OPs should at least be aware upfront of probabilities. Typically, not always, once you enter low paid it’s hard to make a large jump - without school.

38

Please move on from debating salary data, especially for schools not being considered by the OP. Thank you for your understanding.

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39

Unless you got significant aid from one of the others that brings the COA below Rutgers as an instate student

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40

Correct. The OP did not ask about salaries. They asked about the schools. But as has been discussed, salary/outcome Self reports can be skewed and have limited or flawed data. Be careful when looking at these reports. If they are even relevant to you, OP. Problems and limitations with College career outcome reports: reading between the lines

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