Analysis
Olivet's biology program punches well above its weight in Michigan's competitive landscape, landing in the 80th percentile among state programs despite serving a substantial population of Pell Grant recipients. With first-year earnings of $34,415, graduates earn $7,000 more than the typical Michigan biology grad—a meaningful advantage that narrows but doesn't close the gap with premium programs like Madonna or Grand Valley State.
The financial picture looks manageable: $27,000 in debt against solid earnings growth creates a debt-to-income ratio of 0.78, and graduates see a healthy 28% earnings bump by year four. The debt load ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of biology programs leave students with more debt. For families weighing a modest upfront investment against reliable outcomes, this combination makes sense.
The catch is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. But for an open-access institution with a 97% admission rate, Olivet delivers surprisingly competitive results for biology students willing to work their way up. Parents should verify the program's stability with recent grads, but the data suggests solid value for students who need an accessible path into life sciences.
Where The University of Olivet Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How The University of Olivet graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Olivet | $34,415 | $44,180 | +28% |
| University of Detroit Mercy | $19,882 | $95,564 | +381% |
| Concordia University Ann Arbor | $23,080 | $61,860 | +168% |
| Michigan State University | $26,435 | $58,207 | +120% |
| Ferris State University | $27,334 | $54,199 | +98% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan
Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (34 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 The University of OlivetOlivet | $33,076 | $34,415 | $44,180 | $27,000 | 0.78 |
 Madonna UniversityLivonia | $27,360 | $46,127 | — | $30,750 | 0.67 |
 Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale | $14,628 | $40,959 | $42,578 | $26,748 | 0.65 |
 Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo | $15,298 | $35,955 | $49,044 | $27,000 | 0.75 |
 Hope CollegeHolland | $40,420 | $35,430 | $39,132 | $27,000 | 0.76 |
 Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity Center | $12,240 | $35,216 | $49,941 | $24,932 | 0.71 |
| National Median | — | $32,316 | — | $25,000 | 0.77 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Forensic Science Technicians
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Biological Technicians
Agricultural Technicians
Precision Agriculture Technicians
Food Science Technicians
Biological Scientists, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At The University of Olivet, approximately 42% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 34 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.