WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-2% vs national median710 grads tracked

Biology, General at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 192nd of 398 bachelor's programs in Biology, General by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$32,044
middle 50%: $23,271 – $45,210
Median · 5 years out
$59,733
middle 50%: $44,134 – $79,741
Median · 10 years out
$76,978
middle 50%: $55,807 – $111,344

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Biology, General (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's bachelor's program in Biology, General earn a median $32,044 one year after graduating, rising to $76,978 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $61,152 for this field, ranking 192nd of 398 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
7.5 yrs
≈ $9,172 total interest

Same major at other universities

Prairie View Agricultural & Mechanical University
$60,028 · 5 yrs out
Wright State University
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Sweet Briar College
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Jefferson College of Health Sciences
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
$59,795 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Oklahoma
$59,767 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$59,726 · 5 yrs out
Marymount University
$59,673 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$59,659 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$59,531 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at El Paso
$59,520 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana Western (The)
$59,353 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out

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