# Best Biology Colleges in Indiana

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 27 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-indiana

## Methodology

Biology programs in Indiana ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Choosing a college for biology can feel overwhelming, especially in a state like Indiana where there are numerous options. These schools not only offer solid biology programs but also demonstrate strong outcomes for their graduates, making them worth considering as you weigh your options. With average earnings of $57,790 among top biology schools in Indiana, these institutions can set students on a promising career path.

What sets the strongest schools apart is their performance in key areas that matter for biology students: earnings potential, graduation rates, student debt, and overall program quality. The list below reflects these outcomes, helping families see which schools support their students not just academically but financially as well. Pay close attention to how schools balance net price with expected earnings and graduation rates.

For instance, the University of Notre Dame stands out with impressive earnings of $99,980 and a graduation rate of 96%. In contrast, Earlham College has lower earnings of $50,797 and a graduation rate of 68%. This difference highlights the potential trade-offs between choosing a prestigious program and a more affordable option. Keep these factors in mind as you explore the options further.

## Key Findings

- The University of Notre Dame has the highest earnings at $99,980.
- Earlham College has the lowest graduation rate at 68%.
- Purdue University-Main Campus offers a net price of $14,600, which is the lowest among the top five.
- On average, biology graduates from these schools earn $57,790.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Notre Dame](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-notre-dame) | Notre Dame, IN | 96% | $99,980 | $26,780 | $19,000 | 0.19x |
| 2 | [Earlham College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/earlham-college) | Richmond, IN | 68% | $50,797 | $24,714 | $23,488 | 0.46x |
| 3 | [DePauw University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/depauw-university) | Greencastle, IN | 77% | $70,527 | $22,264 | $27,000 | 0.38x |
| 4 | [Taylor University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/taylor-university) | Upland, IN | 75% | $52,198 | $24,865 | $20,500 | 0.39x |
| 5 | [Goshen College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/goshen-college) | Goshen, IN | 63% | $51,943 | $14,493 | $22,974 | 0.44x |
| 6 | [Wabash College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wabash-college) | Crawfordsville, IN | 77% | $69,952 | $24,336 | $27,000 | 0.39x |
| 7 | [Saint Mary's College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-marys-college) | Notre Dame, IN | 73% | $59,354 | $25,292 | $27,000 | 0.45x |
| 8 | [Butler University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/butler-university) | Indianapolis, IN | 80% | $77,235 | $36,041 | $26,000 | 0.34x |
| 9 | [University of Evansville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-evansville) | Evansville, IN | 68% | $53,770 | $18,499 | $24,606 | 0.46x |
| 10 | [Ball State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ball-state-university) | Muncie, IN | 63% | $51,833 | $14,940 | $23,250 | 0.45x |
| 11 | [Valparaiso University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/valparaiso-university) | Valparaiso, IN | 69% | $63,191 | $18,578 | $26,942 | 0.43x |
| 12 | [Hanover College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hanover-college) | Hanover, IN | 65% | $53,957 | $21,829 | $25,250 | 0.47x |
| 13 | [Oakland City University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oakland-city-university) | Oakland City, IN | 68% | $43,283 | $15,210 | $16,758 | 0.39x |
| 14 | [Purdue University-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/purdue-university-main-campus) | West Lafayette, IN | 83% | $72,424 | $14,600 | $19,500 | 0.27x |
| 15 | [Trine University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/trine-university) | Angola, IN | 66% | $57,165 | $25,355 | $25,000 | 0.44x |
| 16 | [Indiana University-Indianapolis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indiana-university-indianapolis) | Indianapolis, IN | 54% | $55,198 | $11,668 | $20,000 | 0.36x |
| 17 | [Indiana University-Bloomington](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indiana-university-bloomington) | Bloomington, IN | 81% | $63,742 | $16,264 | $19,509 | 0.31x |
| 18 | [Franklin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/franklin-college) | Franklin, IN | 62% | $55,376 | $22,855 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 19 | [Indiana University-Southeast](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indiana-university-southeast) | New Albany, IN | 36% | $47,596 | $7,888 | $19,684 | 0.41x |
| 20 | [University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-saint-francis-fort-wayne) | Fort Wayne, IN | 58% | $55,362 | $18,196 | $25,976 | 0.47x |
| 21 | [Indiana University-East](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indiana-university-east) | Richmond, IN | 42% | $47,156 | $8,134 | $18,000 | 0.38x |
| 22 | [Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indiana-wesleyan-university-marion) | Marion, IN | 67% | $59,986 | $22,866 | $24,250 | 0.4x |
| 23 | [Purdue University Northwest](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/purdue-university-northwest) | Hammond, IN | 43% | $48,318 | $6,079 | $21,229 | 0.44x |
| 24 | [Indiana University-South Bend](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indiana-university-south-bend) | South Bend, IN | 38% | $44,947 | $8,653 | $21,355 | 0.48x |
| 25 | [Purdue University Fort Wayne](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/purdue-university-fort-wayne) | Fort Wayne, IN | 34% | $45,872 | $13,171 | $21,500 | 0.47x |
| 26 | [Holy Cross College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/holy-cross-college) | Notre Dame, IN | 50% | $50,416 | $26,728 | $24,000 | 0.48x |
| 27 | [Marian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/marian-university) | Indianapolis, IN | 64% | $58,759 | $24,018 | $27,000 | 0.46x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Biology Colleges in Indiana." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-indiana

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.