Biology at St Catherine University

St. Catherine's biology graduates earn $40,937 in their first year—solidly above the Minnesota median of $35,984 and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally among biology programs. However, that 60th percentile within Minnesota is more revealing: at least three state universities produce higher-earning biology graduates, with Saint Cloud State and Metropolitan State both exceeding $42,000. The $27,000 debt load is reasonable and slightly above typical for biology majors, creating a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably year to year, so one exceptional cohort might be skewing results upward. What's certain is that biology bachelor's degrees rarely lead to high immediate earnings anywhere—the national median of just $32,316 reflects that most biology grads need additional credentials to access better-paying roles. St. Catherine's premium over that baseline is real, but modest compared to top performers in the state.

For parents weighing this program against alternatives, the competitive context matters: your child would likely earn similar money at several Minnesota public universities while potentially paying lower tuition. Unless St. Catherine's smaller class sizes or specific research opportunities justify the private school investment, comparable outcomes are available elsewhere in-state. The debt burden is manageable, but the earnings ceiling typical of bachelor's-level biology work means this path makes most sense for students planning graduate or professional school.