Biology at University of Saint Joseph

The debt picture here looks manageable—$27,000 is close to what biology majors typically borrow in Connecticut—but the earnings trajectory raises questions. Similar biology programs in Connecticut suggest first-year earnings around $37,450, which would make the debt load reasonable. However, by year four, this program's actual reported median drops to $30,749, well below that initial estimate and even beneath the national median of $32,316 for biology bachelor's degrees.

That backward slide from estimated year one to reported year four is unusual and suggests graduates may be struggling to gain traction in their careers or are pursuing paths that don't leverage their degrees effectively. For comparison, other Connecticut biology programs show stronger four-year outcomes: Trinity grads earn $52,179, Quinnipiac $44,657, and even regional state schools like Southern Connecticut post $41,973. The University of Saint Joseph's outcomes trail these peers by $10,000 or more.

Given this pattern, families should understand they're looking at estimated early earnings that may not materialize sustainably. The debt is reasonable, but only if those initial earnings hold—and the year-four data suggests they don't. If your student is set on biology at a smaller Connecticut school, ask hard questions about career support, graduate school placement rates, and whether most students actually land in science-related jobs after graduation.