Analysis
Drake's biology program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings—which sounds impressive until you look closer at Iowa. At $41,226 first-year, it lands squarely in the middle of the state's biology programs (60th percentile), trailing two regional competitors and barely edging out Grinnell. The debt load of $25,343 is typical for biology majors, yielding a manageable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio, but nothing about these numbers screams premium value for a private school education.
The strong earnings growth—53% by year four—does suggest graduates find their footing, reaching $63,077 in the medium term. That trajectory matters for biology majors who often need additional credentials or time to advance beyond entry-level lab positions. However, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means a few physicians or pharmacists in graduate school could be inflating these figures significantly.
For parents weighing Drake against state alternatives, the value case isn't clear-cut. You're looking at similar outcomes to Upper Iowa and Grand View at likely higher tuition costs. Unless Drake offers specific research opportunities, graduate school connections, or networking advantages that matter to your student's career path, the premium may be hard to justify based purely on earnings data.
Where Drake University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Drake University 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake University | $41,226 | $63,077 | +53% |
| Saint Ambrose University | $30,825 | $61,468 | +99% |
| Wartburg College | $34,398 | $60,804 | +77% |
| Morningside University | $32,620 | $52,416 | +61% |
| Iowa State University | $32,528 | $51,094 | +57% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa
Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (26 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Drake UniversityDes Moines | $49,944 | $41,226 | $63,077 | $25,343 | 0.61 |
 Upper Iowa UniversityFayette | $19,000 | $43,311 | — | $27,000 | 0.62 |
 Grand View UniversityDes Moines | $33,450 | $43,237 | $48,797 | $26,000 | 0.60 |
 Coe CollegeCedar Rapids | $52,576 | $41,112 | $48,877 | $27,000 | 0.66 |
 Grinnell CollegeGrinnell | $64,862 | $37,170 | $48,846 | $17,500 | 0.47 |
 William Penn UniversityOskaloosa | $28,750 | $36,449 | — | $27,000 | 0.74 |
| 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 Drake University, approximately 21% 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 18 graduates with reported earnings and 26 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.