Biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville

Franciscan University's biology program places graduates slightly above both national and Ohio medians for earnings, though the small graduating class—fewer than 30 students—means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. First-year earnings of $34,567 beat the state median by about $3,500, putting this program solidly in the middle tier among Ohio's 62 biology programs.

The debt picture looks manageable: $24,500 is actually below both the national and state averages for biology majors, resulting in a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71. That means graduates owe roughly 70% of their first year's salary, which should be repayable within standard timeframes. This ratio compares favorably to many biology programs where debt can easily exceed annual earnings.

However, the small sample size is worth emphasizing—with so few graduates in the dataset, one student taking a gap year or pursuing graduate school could dramatically shift these numbers. The program sits well behind Ohio's top performers (which cluster around $38,000), but it's not trying to compete at that level. For families considering this Catholic institution for its distinctive mission and campus culture, the financials don't present obstacles—graduates earn enough to handle their debt while starting careers in biology-related fields. Just recognize that the limited data means you're taking on more uncertainty than you would with a larger program.