Biology at Lewis University

Lewis University's biology program produces graduates who outperform most of their peers nationally, landing in the 74th percentile for first-year earnings at nearly $36,000. That's about $3,000 above the national median for biology majors and roughly $3,100 above Illinois's state median. The debt load of $26,500 is typical for the field, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74—meaning graduates owe less than one year's salary.

However, within Illinois, this program sits squarely in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile. Several state schools—including Governors State ($43,641) and Northeastern Illinois ($40,392)—produce biology graduates earning $4,000-$8,000 more annually right out of the gate. For families weighing cost and return, those earnings differences compound quickly over a career, potentially offsetting any tuition advantages Lewis might offer.

The program works well enough for biology majors planning graduate or professional school, where that first-year salary matters less than preparing for the next step. But if your child intends to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, Lewis delivers solid but unremarkable outcomes. The combination of reasonable debt and above-average national performance makes this a safe choice, though not necessarily the strongest value among Illinois biology programs.