Biology at DePaul University

DePaul's biology program starts graduates at below-average salaries—$30,750 is noticeably lower than both the national and Illinois medians for biology majors. However, the story shifts dramatically by year four, when earnings jump to nearly $57,000, an 85% increase that substantially outpaces typical biology career trajectories. This suggests graduates either pursue additional training, transition into higher-paying roles, or enter career paths with steep early curves. The manageable $27,000 debt load (among the lowest 5% nationally) means that even the difficult first year remains financially viable, with a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0.

The catch is that even after this impressive growth, DePaul biology graduates still rank at the 40th percentile within Illinois, trailing programs at schools like Governors State and NIU by $10,000-$15,000 annually. For a private university in an expensive city like Chicago, families might reasonably expect stronger outcomes. The data suggests this program works best for students who have clear post-graduation plans—whether graduate school, medical training, or specific industry roles—that explain the delayed but substantial earnings growth.

If your child plans to work immediately after graduation in a traditional biology role, programs at Illinois public universities deliver better starting salaries at similar or lower debt. But if they're using this degree as a stepping stone toward advanced credentials or specialized careers, DePaul's combination of low debt and strong eventual earnings makes it a viable option despite the challenging first year.