Compare 40 Biophysics. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $45,048.
With top graduates earning $90,787, Biophysics stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $45K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The University of Notre Dame's Biophysics program leads with graduates earning $90,787, while the average across all 40 Midwest programs sits at $45,048. Miami University-Oxford ($70,233) and University of Akron ($69,887) demonstrate how regional publics compete effectively with prestigious institutions in this specialized field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Notre Dame graduates borrow $19,000 and face just a 3.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong earnings truly worthwhile.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $90,787 | 33 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Manageable |
| #2 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $70,233 | 46 | $23,000 | Excellent | $34,512 | Challenging |
| #3 | $69,887 | 10 | $23,250 | Excellent | $22,000 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $61,773 | 88 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $61,384 | 17 | $22,750 | Good | $17,858 | Manageable |
| #6 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $60,325 | 38 | $24,157 | Good | $54,045 | High |
| #7 | $59,528 | 82 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $58,900 | 90 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #9 | $58,205 | 79 | $21,000 | Good | $25,798 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $57,775 | 214 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $57,531 | 38 | $19,509 | Excellent | $32,850 | Challenging | |
| #12 | Grinnell CollegePrivate | $56,764 | 38 | $17,500 | Excellent | $36,324 | Challenging |
| #13 | $54,057 | 233 | $19,500 | Good | $30,250 | Challenging | |
| #14 | $53,800 | 59 | $22,024 | Good | $22,127 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $53,560 | 52 | $16,704 | Excellent | $24,323 | Challenging | |
| #16 | $52,427 | 37 | $20,000 | Good | $15,027 | Manageable | |
| #17 | $49,124 | 23 | $25,000 | Manageable | $16,878 | Challenging | |
| #18 | University Of Detroit MercyPrivate | $48,432 | 12 | $23,250 | Manageable | $22,484 | High |
| #19 | $48,348 | 23 | $21,250 | Good | $23,602 | High | |
| #20 | $44,921 | 51 | $23,000 | Manageable | $16,149 | High | |
| #21 | $44,301 | 60 | $20,500 | Manageable | $32,529 | High | |
| #22 | $42,538 | 30 | $21,503 | Manageable | $14,012 | High | |
| #23 | Cornell CollegePrivate | $39,164 | 23 | $27,000 | Challenging | $46,564 | High |
| #24 | Augustana CollegePrivate | $38,436 | 29 | $27,000 | Challenging | $37,219 | High |
| #25 | $38,289 | 56 | $19,500 | Manageable | $29,448 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
