Biology at Macalester College

Macalester's biology graduates face an unusual disconnect between national and local competitiveness. While they earn more than most biology majors nationwide (71st percentile), they land squarely in the middle of Minnesota's biology market (40th percentile), earning less than graduates from Saint Cloud State ($44,166) and several other in-state public universities. For a selective liberal arts college charging private tuition, this is a notable gap—particularly since the $21,500 debt load is actually lower than both state and national medians.

The earnings trajectory tells a more encouraging story: graduates see 34% income growth between years one and four, climbing from $35,616 to $47,854. That's solid progression and suggests Macalester's academic foundation supports career advancement even if initial placements lag behind top Minnesota programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 is manageable, meaning graduates owe just over half their first-year salary.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. For families considering Macalester specifically for biology rather than the broader liberal arts experience, this suggests looking carefully at whether the distinctive campus culture and smaller class sizes justify potentially starting behind graduates from larger Minnesota publics. If your child is biology-focused and cost-conscious, compare carefully against the state universities outperforming Macalester in early earnings.