Biology at Oakland City University

A $27,000 debt load for a biology bachelor's in Indiana sits slightly above the state median of $24,820, while estimated first-year earnings of $36,161 align precisely with what similar programs across the state typically produce. That 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment—monthly loan payments would consume roughly 6-7% of gross income under standard plans. However, it's worth noting that peer programs at larger Indiana institutions like Purdue ($40,145) and Indiana State ($43,656) show stronger earning patterns, indicating that school choice matters significantly in this field.

The challenge with biology bachelor's degrees generally is that many graduates need additional credentials to reach higher-paying roles. At $36,161, these estimated first-year earnings match the national 75th percentile, which sounds promising until you consider that three-quarters of biology programs nationwide produce lower returns. The field itself, not just this program, tends toward modest initial earnings unless graduates immediately enter specialized technical roles or continue to graduate school.

For families evaluating Oakland City specifically, the limited graduate sample size that necessitated these estimates makes direct assessment difficult. The estimated financials suggest neither a standout opportunity nor a problematic investment compared to Indiana's biology landscape. If your child plans to pursue medical, dental, or graduate school afterward, the moderate debt is workable. But if they intend to enter the workforce immediately with just the bachelor's, exploring programs with documented stronger outcomes would provide more certainty about the return.