Biology at Hamilton College

Hamilton's biology graduates earn substantially more than their peers while carrying far less debt—$43,639 versus the national median of $32,316, with just $17,000 in loans compared to the typical $25,000. Within New York's competitive landscape, this places Hamilton in the 80th percentile for earnings, trailing only elite institutions like Barnard and Columbia. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 is exceptionally favorable, meaning graduates face manageable loan payments relative to their starting salaries.

However, there's an important asterisk: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so these figures could shift significantly with a larger sample. The program serves a highly selective student body (12% admission rate, 1487 average SAT), which likely contributes to strong outcomes but also means results may not generalize to all students. Biology degrees often lead to graduate school rather than immediate careers, so these first-year earnings may not reflect the full trajectory for students pursuing medical or research paths.

For families who can manage Hamilton's private college costs and whose child is competitive for admission, the early returns look strong. Just recognize that the small sample means you're making decisions with less certainty than you'd have at larger programs with more robust data.