Biology at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

With fewer than 30 graduates in this data, these numbers reflect a snapshot rather than a reliable pattern, but what they show raises questions. At $35,304 one year out, this biology certificate puts graduates roughly $2,000 below the national median while carrying $3,500 more in debt than typical programs. That 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it means three-quarters of a year's salary goes to loans—higher than you'd want for a sub-bachelor's credential.

Here's the puzzle: this program sits in Wisconsin's 60th percentile for earnings despite ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally. That tells you more about Wisconsin's limited certificate landscape (only 4 schools offer this) than about this program's strength. The state comparison is essentially meaningless when the sample is this thin and the earnings are still objectively modest—$35,000 barely clears $17/hour for full-time work.

For a certificate that likely requires a year or more of study and leaves students with $26,000 in debt, these outcomes suggest it's functioning more as a stepping stone than a destination credential. If your student needs biology coursework for a specific transfer plan or career requirement, verify that directly with target schools or employers. Otherwise, the modest earnings and above-average debt make this a risky standalone investment, particularly given the small graduate pool means individual circumstances could be skewing results dramatically.