Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at Saint Cloud State University

The immediate post-graduation number—$24,862—looks alarming, but this program's trajectory tells a more complex story. Within four years, earnings nearly double to $46,210, a growth rate that dramatically outpaces typical biological science careers. That said, even with this recovery, graduates still trail their Minnesota peers at the median ($33,682) and earn less than what similar programs deliver at both Bemidji State and the University of Minnesota system. Ranking in the bottom quarter statewide suggests structural challenges.

The $26,500 debt load matches the state median but sits above the national benchmark, and paired with that first-year salary, creates a tight financial window immediately after graduation. The 1.07 debt-to-earnings ratio means a graduate's entire first-year salary barely covers their student loans—a reality that could force difficult choices about housing, transportation, or graduate school timing. By year four, the financial picture stabilizes considerably, but those early years matter for establishing independence.

With fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, individual circumstances likely skew these numbers more than at larger programs. For a student committed to staying in Minnesota and willing to navigate lean early-career years, this degree opens doors—but parents should know their child will likely start behind peers from other state schools and need several years to catch up financially.