Biology at Purdue University Fort Wayne

Four years out, graduates from this program earn a solid $46,717—considerably more than Indiana's state median for biology degrees and well above the national benchmark of $32,316. That's the encouraging news. The challenge is the first year: based on comparable Indiana programs, starting earnings around $36,161 barely exceed the national average, meaning new graduates face a tight stretch before their careers gain traction.

At $24,696 in debt, students borrow slightly less than both state and national norms for biology degrees, and the debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio of 0.68 is manageable if unspectacular. What matters more is that earnings trajectory between years one and four—a nearly $10,000 jump suggests the program prepares students for roles with genuine advancement potential. Still, this school appears to trail top Indiana biology programs: Indiana State, Purdue West Lafayette, and several others report first-year earnings in the $39,000-$43,000 range, giving their graduates a faster start.

For a regional university with an 86% admission rate, this program delivers decent value. Your child will graduate with reasonable debt and reach respectable mid-career earnings, but should expect a lean first year and recognize they might launch slightly behind peers from more selective Indiana programs. If the location and accessibility matter most, this works—just understand the trade-off in early momentum.