Physiology, Pathology at Marquette University

That 76% earnings jump tells the real story here: Marquette's physiology program appears designed as a pre-med or pre-health track where graduates initially take gap jobs or pursue further training before launching professional careers. The first-year median of $31,173 looks underwhelming, but by year four, earnings reach nearly $55,000—suggesting many students complete additional credentials and move into higher-paying health roles.

The $27,000 debt load (5th percentile nationally, meaning very low) makes this trajectory workable, especially given that debt-to-earnings ratio. Even in that initial gap year, the debt burden is less than one year's salary, which provides breathing room for students applying to medical school or other graduate programs. Among Wisconsin's handful of physiology programs, this sits in the middle of the pack for early earnings but appears optimized for the longer game rather than immediate employment.

The major caveat: we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates here, so these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. If your child is dead-set on medical school or another advanced degree, this path could work well—the debt is manageable and Marquette provides solid pre-health advising. But if they're hoping to land a well-paying job immediately after graduation with just a bachelor's, that $31,000 first-year number is the reality to plan around, and they might find better immediate outcomes at UW-Oshkosh.