Biology at Chicago State University
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (50 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago State University | $32,844* | $43,524 | $39,223 | — |
| Governors State University | $43,641* | $45,671 | $31,250 | 0.72 |
| Northeastern Illinois University | $40,392* | $52,784 | $14,031 | 0.35 |
| Northern Illinois University | $38,137* | $48,556 | $23,630 | 0.62 |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | $38,067* | $50,151 | $22,396 | 0.59 |
| Saint Xavier University | $37,977* | $46,068 | $26,939 | 0.71 |
| National Median | $32,316* | — | $25,000 | 0.77 |
Other Biology Programs in Illinois
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Illinois schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governors State University University Park | $11,320 | $43,641 | $31,250 |
| Northeastern Illinois University Chicago | $12,383 | $40,392 | $14,031 |
| Northern Illinois University Dekalb | $12,700 | $38,137 | $23,630 |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville | $12,922 | $38,067 | $22,396 |
| Saint Xavier University Chicago | $36,840 | $37,977 | $26,939 |
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 Chicago State University, approximately 55% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 27 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.