Compare 15 Virology. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $45,372.
With top graduates earning $61,315, Virology stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $16K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Miami University-Oxford's Virology program leads with graduates earning $61,315, well above the $45,372 average across 15 Midwest programs. South Dakota State University follows at $57,608, demonstrating how regional publics compete effectively in specialized scientific fields regardless of overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 7.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, South Dakota State leads with a 17.2% family burden—manageable payments that won't strain post-graduation budgets.
Highest program earnings: $61,315
Strong outcomes with 82% acceptance
7.9% payment burden | Excellent
17.2% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $61,315 | 22 | $23,000 | Good | $34,512 | Challenging |
| #2 | $57,608 | 14 | $23,250 | Good | $18,000 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $56,610 | 34 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $54,549 | 76 | $20,484 | Good | $28,364 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $54,271 | 58 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #6 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $52,852 | 31 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | Challenging |
| #7 | $52,639 | 61 | $19,976 | Good | $25,868 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $49,863 | 20 | $23,199 | Good | $14,621 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $46,419 | 28 | $22,500 | Manageable | $16,958 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $40,792 | 39 | $21,000 | Manageable | $25,798 | High | |
| #11 | University Of IowaPublic | $38,289 | 20 | $22,500 | Challenging | $27,975 | High |
| #12 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | $35,523 | 24 | $21,250 | Challenging | $27,283 | High |
| #13 | University Of KansasPublic | $33,993 | 37 | $21,000 | High | $32,347 | High |
| #14 | $29,685 | 15 | $23,000 | High | $16,149 | High | |
| #15 | $16,169 | 47 | $19,500 | High | $30,250 | 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 →
