Biology at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

UW-Whitewater's biology program outperforms 86% of biology programs nationwide while keeping debt well below the national average—a combination that's harder to find than you might think. With graduates earning $38,331 right out of college and $46,673 by year four, this represents solid performance that beats the Wisconsin median by $2,600 annually, placing it in the 60th percentile statewide.

The debt picture strengthens the case considerably. At $27,000, graduates borrow roughly the same as peers elsewhere, but the stronger earnings translate to a debt-to-income ratio of 0.70—meaning the typical graduate could feasibly pay off their loans in less than a year of gross earnings. That's among the best debt positions we see for biology programs nationally (5th percentile). The 22% earnings growth over four years also suggests graduates are finding career traction rather than hitting dead ends.

For context, only three Wisconsin schools show better first-year outcomes for biology majors, and those come with significantly higher price tags or more competitive admissions. If your child is interested in biology and UW-Whitewater is accessible academically and financially (particularly at in-state tuition rates), the numbers support moving forward. This isn't a program where you'll be wondering whether the degree was worth the investment—the earnings data and manageable debt load provide clear evidence of value.