Biology at Indiana University-South Bend

IU South Bend's biology graduates earn considerably more than typical biology majors—$38,242 in the first year compared to the national median of $32,316. That 85th percentile national ranking is impressive for an accessible regional campus with an 86% admission rate. However, the 60th percentile ranking among Indiana programs reveals stiffer in-state competition, with schools like Indiana State and Purdue pulling ahead by $2,000-$5,000 annually. The modest debt load of $27,500 means graduates face manageable payments relative to their earnings, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means a few outliers could significantly skew these figures.

The 11% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests steady career progression, reaching $42,485 by the fourth year. For families considering this program primarily as a stepping stone to graduate school—common for biology majors heading toward medical, dental, or research careers—the combination of reasonable debt and solid early earnings provides a decent foundation. But if your child plans to enter the workforce directly with just a bachelor's, recognize that biology typically caps earnings potential without advanced training.

This program makes sense if your child wants a biology degree close to home without the competitive pressure of Purdue's main campus. The value proposition is straightforward: lower debt than most biology programs and better-than-average starting pay, though not the highest in Indiana. Just remember those numbers come from a small graduating class, so individual results may vary more than usual.