Biology at Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University's biology program outperforms most schools nationally, landing graduates in the 85th percentile for earnings—a significant achievement given that biology bachelor's degrees typically lead to modest starting salaries. The $38,137 first-year median sits well above both the national figure of $32,316 and Illinois's $32,844 median, though within Illinois specifically, this program ranks at the 60th percentile. That state ranking matters: while NIU beats the Illinois median by $5,000+, programs at Governors State and Northeastern Illinois place graduates even higher. The manageable debt load of $23,630—below both state and national averages—means graduates owe just 7.6 months of their first-year salary.

The trajectory here looks promising. Earnings jump 27% by year four to $48,556, suggesting graduates are successfully moving beyond entry-level lab tech or research assistant roles into better-paying positions. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, NIU serves many first-generation and lower-income students who see real economic mobility through this program.

For an anxious parent, the calculus is straightforward: your child would graduate with less debt than typical biology majors while earning more than most nationally. If they're considering graduate school in health professions or research—common paths for biology majors—they'll enter with reasonable undergraduate debt. If they're heading straight to work, they'll start ahead of their peers at most schools.