Analysis
Bowling Green's biology program starts graduates at $30,861—below both the state and national medians—but the 27% earnings jump to $39,286 by year four tells a different story than the first-year numbers suggest. Among Ohio's 62 biology programs, this lands squarely in the middle (40th percentile), while schools like Ohio Dominican and several Miami University campuses show stronger immediate outcomes around $38,000.
The debt load of $26,000 matches both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.84 debt-to-earnings ratio that improves significantly as salaries climb. For a biology degree at an accessible state university (81% admission rate), these numbers represent a solid foundation rather than a standout opportunity. The robust sample size means these figures reliably reflect graduate outcomes, not statistical noise.
If your student is planning graduate school—common for biology majors—the modest debt load matters more than the initial salary. But if they're heading straight to work, understand that Bowling Green's biology graduates typically need a few years to reach competitive wages. The program works financially, but other Ohio options deliver stronger immediate returns for similar debt.
Where Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Bowling Green State University-Main Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University-Main Campus | $30,861 | $39,286 | +27% |
| Ohio Dominican University | $38,548 | $83,827 | +117% |
| University of Mount Union | $33,433 | $61,157 | +83% |
| Baldwin Wallace University | $30,986 | $57,681 | +86% |
| Walsh University | $31,250 | $56,105 | +80% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (62 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling Green | $14,081 | $30,861 | $39,286 | $26,000 | 0.84 |
 Ohio Dominican UniversityColumbus | $34,370 | $38,548 | $83,827 | $27,000 | 0.70 |
 Miami University-HamiltonHamilton | $7,278 | $38,122 | $55,517 | $25,368 | 0.67 |
| Miami University-OxfordOxford | $17,809 | $38,122 | $55,517 | $25,368 | 0.67 |
| Miami University-MiddletownMiddletown | $7,278 | $38,122 | — | — | — |
 Wittenberg UniversitySpringfield | $44,602 | $38,072 | — | $27,000 | 0.71 |
| National Median | — | $32,316 | — | $25,000 | 0.77 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Forensic Science Technicians
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Biological Technicians
Agricultural Technicians
Precision Agriculture Technicians
Food Science Technicians
Biological Scientists, All Other
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 Bowling Green State University-Main Campus, approximately 23% 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 142 graduates with reported earnings and 166 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.