Biology at Bellarmine University

Bellarmine biology graduates face a challenging first year—earning $29,253 puts them in the 31st percentile nationally—but the program's defining feature is its 71% earnings jump by year four. That $49,960 four-year mark vaults graduates past 60% of Kentucky biology programs, positioning them behind only Northern Kentucky and UK among major state programs. For a school with a 94% admission rate, that's a notable outcome suggesting solid career support or strong health profession placement.

The $27,000 debt load is actually lower than the state median ($24,100 is slightly misleading—Bellarmine is just $2,900 above it), and with a 0.92 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates owe less than one year's starting salary. That's manageable, especially given how quickly earnings climb. The real question is what drives that four-year surge: if it's graduate school entry (med school, pharmacy, PA programs), families should factor in additional education costs. If it's career progression, the trajectory looks solid.

For families comparing Kentucky options, Bellarmine lands in the middle tier—not matching Northern Kentucky's numbers but outpacing smaller private competitors like University of the Cumberlands. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these figures are reasonably reliable. Bottom line: this works if your student can weather a lean first year and the career plan aligns with that strong mid-term growth pattern.