Biologyat Purdue University-Main Campus
Graduates earn $40,145/yr in their first year — about 25.0% above the national Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $698K; scenarios range from $623K to $713K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Purdue University
Purdue's General Biology program stands out because it leverages the university's formidable reputation in STEM fields. You're not just getting a biology degree; you're gaining the analytical rigor and research exposure characteristic of a top-tier science institution. This strong foundation prepares you exceptionally well for demanding careers in scientific research, medical fields, or management roles within biotech and pharmaceutical industries, often in organizations beyond Indiana. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and lab skills, making graduates highly competitive for advanced studies or direct entry into roles requiring sophisticated problem-solving. Your success reflects a program that effectively funnels talent into impactful scientific careers, often through robust research opportunities and strong pre-professional advising. To maximize your potential, actively seek out specific lab research, internships, or specialized electives early on to carve a niche within the broad field of biology.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Purdue University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Biology
How Purdue University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Purdue University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Purdue University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Biology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Biology at Purdue University
How does Purdue University-Main Campus's Biology program score?
This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biology graduates.
How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 40% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Purdue University-Main Campus rank so high for Biology?
The #5 ranking out of 822 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.