Biology at Ball State University

Ball State's biology graduates earn above the national median but trail most Indiana programs—landing at the 40th percentile statewide despite performing at the 63rd percentile nationally. That $34,248 starting salary falls roughly $2,000 short of Indiana's state median and lags significantly behind competitors like Indiana State ($43,656) and Purdue ($40,145).

The program does deliver solid earnings growth of 21% over four years, bringing graduates to $41,534, though this trajectory still leaves them behind their in-state peers. The debt picture is reasonable at $24,333—slightly below both national and state medians—which translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71. For context, you're looking at roughly $270 monthly loan payments on that starting salary, which is tight but workable for biology graduates often pursuing further education or entry-level lab positions.

The fundamental question is whether Ball State's accessibility (72% admission rate, modest SAT requirements) offsets the earnings gap with more selective Indiana options. If your student is Indiana-based and considering biology as a pre-professional stepping stone to graduate or medical school, the lower debt load matters more than the starting salary. But if they're planning to enter the workforce directly, stronger-performing Indiana programs might justify the extra effort in admissions—particularly Purdue, which offers nearly $6,000 more in starting salary for similar debt levels.