Program Analysis
At $34,052 per year, Biology, General graduates from Western Illinois University earn slightly above the $32,219 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
At 8.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $27,000 debt-to-$34,052 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #431 out of 822 programs, Western Illinois University's financial outcomes for Biology, General trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $34,052 to $50,891 shows 49% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.