Biology at Marquette University

Marquette's biology program faces a fundamental challenge: graduates earn just $28,555 in their first year—below both the national median ($32,316) and well below Wisconsin's median ($35,752). This places the program in the bottom quartile statewide, trailing not just private colleges like Edgewood and Ripon, but also more affordable UW system schools like Oshkosh and Whitewater. With $25,296 in debt, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.89 means new graduates owe nearly a full year's salary, creating immediate financial pressure.

The dramatic turnaround to $66,072 by year four suggests many biology graduates eventually transition into higher-paying careers—likely moving into healthcare, research positions, or graduate programs. That 131% earnings growth is impressive and indicates the degree opens doors over time. However, parents should understand their child will likely need financial support during those crucial first years after graduation, whether for graduate school applications, unpaid internships, or simply managing loan payments on an entry-level salary.

The real question is whether Marquette's premium is justified when UW-Oshkosh biology graduates start at $38,530 with similar debt levels. Unless your child specifically benefits from Marquette's smaller class sizes or Milwaukee's research connections, the state university options deliver stronger immediate returns without sacrificing long-term potential.