Biology at Coe College

Coe College biology graduates earn $41,112 in their first year—placing them in the 95th percentile nationally but only the 60th percentile in Iowa. That's the paradox here: this program dramatically outperforms most biology programs across the country, yet sits squarely in the middle of Iowa's surprisingly strong biology landscape. Upper Iowa and Grand View graduates edge slightly higher, while Coe essentially ties with Drake for third place in the state.

The $27,000 debt load is manageable, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 that's well below concerning thresholds. More importantly, earnings grow 19% to nearly $49,000 by year four, suggesting graduates are advancing into research positions, healthcare roles, or graduate programs that pay off. With 36% of students on Pell grants, this isn't just a wealthy-family safety school—it's serving a genuinely diverse student body.

For Iowa families, Coe delivers solid biology outcomes at a reasonable debt level. You're not getting the absolute best in-state option, but you're getting a program that crushes the national average while maintaining financial accessibility. If your child is comparing this to out-of-state public universities or pricier private schools, Coe's combination of strong earnings and controlled debt makes it worth serious consideration—just know that a couple other Iowa schools deliver marginally better first-year outcomes.