Biology at College of Saint Benedict

College of Saint Benedict's biology graduates start modestly at $35,800 but see robust 35% earnings growth by year four, reaching $48,195—a trajectory that outpaces 73% of biology programs nationally. The catch? Within Minnesota, first-year earnings land in just the 40th percentile, trailing state schools like Saint Cloud State ($44,166) and Metropolitan State ($42,128) by significant margins. For families focused on in-state opportunities, this gap matters more than the strong national ranking suggests.

The financial fundamentals work well here. At $27,000 in debt—one of the lowest burdens nationally for biology majors—graduates face a manageable 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio. That low debt load provides breathing room during those early career years when biology salaries tend to be modest across the board. By year four, when earnings approach $48,000, this program's value proposition improves considerably.

The real question is whether that trajectory justifies starting behind Minnesota peers. If your student plans to pursue graduate school (common for biology majors), the affordable debt and solid foundational education make sense. For those entering the workforce immediately, the higher-earning Minnesota alternatives deliver better short-term returns, though the moderate sample size here means individual outcomes will vary.