Biology at The College of Saint Scholastica

Saint Scholastica's biology program shows dramatically different outcomes depending on when you measure—and that volatility matters with a sample size under 30 graduates. First-year earnings of $28,195 trail both the Minnesota median ($35,984) and national average ($32,316) by significant margins, placing this program in the bottom quarter statewide. However, by year four, earnings jump to $72,626, more than doubling the state median.

This unusual trajectory suggests many graduates pursue additional training—likely medical or graduate school—before entering higher-paying healthcare careers. The debt load of $25,499 is manageable relative to those eventual earnings, but families need to factor in the cost and opportunity cost of further education. Compare this to Saint Cloud State or Metropolitan State, where biology graduates earn $40,000+ right out of the gate without necessarily requiring additional degrees.

The small sample size is the critical caveat here. With fewer than 30 graduates reporting, a handful of medical school acceptances or research positions could skew the four-year number dramatically. For a family banking on that $72,626 outcome, understand you're looking at a narrow data set that may not reflect your student's path. If your child plans on immediate employment after graduation, schools with stronger initial placement numbers offer more certainty.