Biology at Purdue University Northwest

Purdue Northwest's biology program delivers earnings that beat the national median by nearly $1,000, but here's the catch: that same degree earns $3,000 less than the typical Indiana biology graduate makes. This matters because if your child qualifies for Purdue's main campus in West Lafayette—where biology grads earn $40,145—or even Indiana State ($43,656), the earnings gap could total $70,000 over a decade. The debt load is essentially identical across these schools, so the location choice becomes critical.

The $33,155 starting salary translates to roughly $2,760 monthly before taxes, with a $24,750 loan representing about nine months of gross pay. That's a manageable ratio in theory, though biology graduates often need graduate degrees to advance their careers—something to factor into the total education investment. The moderate sample size suggests this isn't a tiny experimental program, but rather an established track serving a steady stream of students.

For families considering pre-med or graduate school paths, the lower tuition at Purdue Northwest might justify the initial earnings tradeoff since undergraduate institution matters less for medical school admissions. But if your child plans to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, the numbers suggest exploring Indiana State or main campus Purdue, where biology graduates start their careers with significantly stronger earning power.