Natural Sciences at Dominican University

Dominican University's Natural Sciences program shows one of the most dramatic earnings progressions you'll see—graduates more than double their income from $27,000 to $48,000 over four years. That 77% growth rate suggests graduates are finding their footing in fields where entry-level positions pay modestly but experience opens better doors. The first-year figure ranks in the 35th percentile nationally, but by year four, these graduates have pulled ahead significantly.

The $25,000 debt load is manageable relative to those later earnings, though that first year will be tight—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.93 means recent graduates are earning barely more than what they owe. Interestingly, this program ranks in the 60th percentile among Illinois natural sciences programs, though there are only two such programs in the state, limiting the comparison's usefulness. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) also means these numbers could swing considerably with different cohorts.

For families comfortable with a challenging first year or two post-graduation—perhaps with some parental support or careful budgeting—this could work if your student has clear career goals that explain the earnings trajectory. But if immediate financial independence matters, or if your student is still exploring what they want to do in science, programs with stronger year-one outcomes might reduce early-career stress.