Biology at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Wheaton's biology program lands in the bottom 10th percentile among Massachusetts schools—a striking underperformance in a state where biology graduates typically earn $42,000 their first year compared to Wheaton's $27,000. Even public options like Salem State ($46,000) and UMass-Lowell ($47,000) deliver 70% higher starting salaries, and those state schools likely cost less in tuition. The $24,000 debt load seems manageable in isolation, but paired with below-average earnings, graduates face a tougher financial start than peers at most Massachusetts colleges.

The 65% earnings growth to year four brings some hope—graduates reach $44,000, closer to what others start at—but this catch-up pattern means years of financial constraint early in careers when student loan payments hit hardest. For a selective school (1321 SAT average), these outcomes raise questions about career preparation or alumni network strength in biology fields. The small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) means a few outliers could skew these numbers significantly, but the consistency of underperformance across metrics is hard to ignore.

If your child is Massachusetts-bound and certain about biology, the data suggests looking elsewhere. The state offers numerous programs with stronger first-year outcomes at similar or lower debt levels. Wheaton might offer other valuable experiences, but this particular program doesn't appear to position graduates for financial success compared to readily available alternatives in the same state.