Median Earnings (1yr)
$37,450
81st percentile (60th in CT)
Median Debt
$23,250
7% below national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.62
Manageable
Sample Size
36
Adequate data

Analysis

Sacred Heart's biology program starts graduates at $37,450—not spectacular, but tracking right with the Connecticut median and notably above the national benchmark. What's more compelling is the trajectory: earnings jump 41% by year four to $52,614, ultimately matching what Trinity College biology graduates earn straight out of college. That kind of growth suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into higher-paying roles or advancing in clinical settings.

The $23,250 debt load sits comfortably below both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.62 ratio to first-year earnings. While your child won't immediately out-earn peers from Connecticut's top programs, the four-year picture shows them catching up substantially. The moderate sample size means these numbers represent a meaningful track record, not a handful of outliers.

For a biology degree—often a stepping stone to graduate programs or healthcare careers—this pattern makes sense. Your child gets solid foundational credentials without excessive debt, leaving financial flexibility for whatever comes next, whether that's medical school applications or building experience in research or clinical work. The steady earnings growth suggests employers value these graduates increasingly over time.

Where Sacred Heart University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally

Sacred Heart UniversityOther biology programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How Sacred Heart University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Sacred Heart University graduates earn $37k, placing them in the 81th percentile of all biology bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Connecticut

Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Connecticut (21 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Sacred Heart University$37,450$52,614$23,2500.62
Trinity College$52,179—$26,1900.50
Quinnipiac University$44,657$56,734$27,0000.60
Southern Connecticut State University$41,973$51,529$24,7700.59
Connecticut College$41,067$51,800$23,0450.56
Eastern Connecticut State University$39,977$53,040$25,4480.64
National Median$32,316—$25,0000.77

Other Biology Programs in Connecticut

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Connecticut schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Trinity College
Hartford
$67,420$52,179$26,190
Quinnipiac University
Hamden
$53,090$44,657$27,000
Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven
$12,828$41,973$24,770
Connecticut College
New London
$64,812$41,067$23,045
Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic
$13,292$39,977$25,448

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Sacred Heart University, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 36 graduates with reported earnings and 71 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.