Biology at Carthage College

Carthage College's biology program outperforms the national average by nearly $6,000 in first-year earnings, placing it in the 84th percentile nationally—solid evidence that the program delivers strong career preparation. However, within Wisconsin, the story becomes more nuanced. At $37,903, starting salaries trail the state median slightly and rank in the 60th percentile among Wisconsin's 29 biology programs. This isn't necessarily alarming, but it does mean your child won't have the earning power of graduates from Edgewood ($51,000+) or even mid-tier state schools like UW-Oshkosh.

The real strength here is trajectory: earnings jump 45% to nearly $55,000 by year four, suggesting graduates successfully transition into better-paying lab positions, research roles, or graduate programs. The debt load of $23,250 is actually below both state and national medians, making this a relatively affordable option with a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61.

For families looking at Wisconsin biology programs, Carthage represents a middle-ground choice: you're paying less in debt than at many competitors while getting above-average national outcomes. If your child is considering medical school or graduate work, this could be a cost-effective launchpad. If they need immediate strong earnings, the top-tier Wisconsin programs might justify their higher price tags.