Biology at Connecticut College

Connecticut College biology graduates start earning $41,067—well above the national median but trailing the top CT programs like Trinity College, which pays $52,000. While landing at the 95th percentile nationally sounds impressive, Connecticut's strong academic market makes for tougher competition: this program falls to the 60th percentile statewide, behind Trinity, Quinnipiac, and even public options like Southern Connecticut State.

The debt picture is manageable at $23,045, slightly below both state and national averages, creating a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.56. That's better than many biology programs, where heavy pre-med course loads don't always translate to immediate earning power. Four years out, graduates see solid 26% income growth to $51,800, suggesting they're moving into research positions, graduate programs, or healthcare roles that value their liberal arts training.

The major caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so one student's path to medical school or another's gap year can swing the numbers significantly. For a family paying selective college tuition, the question is whether Connecticut College's network and research opportunities justify costs when UConn or public alternatives might deliver similar outcomes at lower price points. The earnings are good, but not exceptional enough to ignore the economics.