Location: Kenosha, WI•In-State Tuition: $7,855•Out-of-State Tuition: $16,497•Admission Rate: 73%•Avg SAT: 1090
Median Earnings (1yr)
$35,990
74th percentile
60th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Debt
$28,500
14% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.79 ManageableSample: 35 graduates

Analysis

UW-Parkside biology graduates start at $35,990—outperforming three-quarters of biology programs nationally and landing solidly in the middle of Wisconsin's pack. That's nearly $4,000 above the national average for biology majors, though it trails the state's top earners at places like Edgewood College by about $15,000. The real advantage here is debt: at $28,500, graduates borrow about $3,200 more than the national median, but that debt burden remains manageable with a 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio.

For families weighing Wisconsin's public options, UW-Parkside delivers comparable outcomes to larger campuses like UW-Whitewater while keeping debt reasonable. The admission profile (73% acceptance rate, 1090 SAT average) suggests this is an accessible option that still produces competitive results. Biology majors notoriously earn less than other STEM fields initially, but this program at least positions graduates ahead of most peers nationwide.

The moderate sample size means individual outcomes vary, but the fundamentals work: graduates can realistically pay down their debt while earning above-average wages for their field. Parents should recognize this won't produce the salary boost of computer science or engineering, but as biology programs go, it represents solid middle-ground value without excessive borrowing.

Where University of Wisconsin-Parkside Stands

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

University of Wisconsin-ParksideOther biology programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Wisconsin-Parkside graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Wisconsin-Parkside earns $36k — 74th percentile among biology bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (29 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Wisconsin-ParksideKenosha$7,855$35,990—$28,5000.79
Edgewood CollegeMadison$34,850$51,134$54,363$29,0000.57
Ripon CollegeRipon$50,700$43,250$46,101$27,0000.62
Carroll UniversityWaukesha$37,230$43,188$56,294$27,0000.63
University of Wisconsin-OshkoshOshkosh$8,212$38,530$56,168$24,2500.63
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater$8,250$38,331$46,673$27,0000.70
National Median—$32,316—$25,0000.77

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forensic Science Technicians

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

$67,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Agricultural Technicians

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Precision Agriculture Technicians

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

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 University of Wisconsin-Parkside, approximately 34% 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 35 graduates with reported earnings and 53 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.