Biology at Trine University sits outside the Allen School of Engineering and Computing that houses Trine's Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science programs, and it's genuinely distinct from Trine's Business track too. It's worth flagging upfront why this article covers Biology rather than Nursing: Trine's MSN and RN-BSN programs both require applicants to already hold a current, unrestricted US RN license, which makes them unavailable as a direct-entry option for most new international students. Biology, by contrast, is a standard direct-entry undergraduate major and a common pre-health pathway for students who later pursue graduate health programs.
This article covers the acceptance picture, cost, admission requirements, English-test rules, and career outcomes for Biology at Trine.
Acceptance Rate
Trine does not publish a Biology-specific acceptance rate; like the rest of Trine's undergraduate programs, admission is evaluated holistically against secondary school performance rather than through a competitive, capped-seat review. Trine's overall undergraduate acceptance rate is commonly cited around 86% (US News & World Report, a third-party estimate), with GPA described by Trine's own admissions officers as the most heavily weighted academic factor.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Biology students pay Trine's standard undergraduate tuition, the same rate for domestic and international students, with no separate international surcharge at the undergraduate level.
| Cost item | Undergraduate (per year) |
|---|---|
| Standard tuition (12-18 credits/semester) | $37,750 |
| Mandatory fees (student, health/wellness, parking) | ~$400-$1,130 depending on program |
| Housing (studio to residential single) | $7,600-$8,600 |
| Meal plan (19 meals/week to commuter) | $450-$5,700 |
| Estimated total | ~$51,500-$53,200 |
International undergraduates also pay a one-time $1,000 international enrollment fee ($500 toward document processing and orientation, $500 credited toward tuition). For the full university-wide cost and financial aid picture, see the Trine University guide.
Admission Requirements
- Completed international application
- Official secondary school transcripts (with certified English translation if needed)
- English proficiency score (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo, or a qualifying SAT/ACT sub-score, see below)
- Passport copy and financial documentation for I-20 issuance
- No essay or letters of recommendation strictly required, though strong applicants often include them voluntarily
Trine does not publish a hard minimum GPA cutoff; a solid B-average (roughly 3.0/4.0 or equivalent) is a realistic practical bar based on the profile of admitted students generally.
How to Get Into Trine's Biology Program
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Build a strong foundation in chemistry and biology coursework before you apply, since this maps directly onto Biology's own curriculum and strengthens your file for any later pre-health graduate ambitions.
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Meet the English-proficiency bar comfortably rather than at the exact minimum. Because Trine's academic bar is largely GPA- and document-based rather than deeply comparative, a clean, complete application with a proficiency score above the floor is usually enough to clear admission.
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If your long-term goal is nursing or another health profession requiring US licensure, research the licensure pathway before enrolling, not after. Trine's own nursing programs (MSN, RN-BSN) require a current US RN license to enter, so Biology functions as a pre-health foundation rather than a direct route into nursing itself at Trine.
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Apply early for Trine's International Award, a merit scholarship awarded as part of the standard admission review, reported at up to $22,000/year and renewable for four years for students who maintain the required GPA.
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Confirm current test-score thresholds directly with Trine's International Admission office before applying, since Trine periodically updates accepted tests and cutoffs.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Biology follows Trine's standard undergraduate English proficiency minimums; there is no separately published Biology-specific override in the sources reviewed.
| Test | Undergraduate minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 71 (Trine's institution code: 1811) |
| PTE Academic | 50 |
| Duolingo English Test | 95 |
Waiver: undergraduate applicants are exempt from the English test requirement if they score at least 560 on SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, or at least 21 on the ACT Reading section. For the full picture, see the Trine University guide.
Career Outcomes
Biology graduates from Trine commonly pursue further study (medical school, physician assistant programs, physical therapy, dentistry, or graduate biology programs) or move into roles in laboratory science, biotechnology, and research-support positions. Trine markets a university-wide "career outcome" rate above 99% for 13 consecutive years (Class of 2025: 99.2%), a figure that includes graduates employed, enrolled in further education, or in military service within six months of graduation, though this is a university-wide figure, not broken out specifically for Biology or for international students.
Biology is generally not STEM-designated for OPT purposes in the same broad way engineering or computer science degrees are, though specific tracks within the sciences can carry their own CIP code designation; confirm your specific concentration's STEM status directly with Trine if OPT length is a deciding factor, since this determines whether you get the standard 12-month OPT period or the 24-month STEM OPT extension available to Trine's Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science graduates.
FAQ
Why does this article cover Biology instead of Nursing? Trine's nursing programs (MSN and RN-BSN) both require applicants to already hold a current, unrestricted US RN license, which makes them unavailable as a direct-entry option for most new international students. Biology is a standard direct-entry undergraduate major and a common pre-health pathway instead.
Does Trine publish an acceptance rate for Biology specifically? No. Trine's overall undergraduate acceptance rate is commonly cited around 86%, with GPA as the most heavily weighted factor in its holistic review.
How much does Biology cost at Trine for international students? The same as Trine's standard undergraduate tuition, $37,750/year, with no separate international surcharge, plus a one-time $1,000 international enrollment fee.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for Trine Biology? The same as Trine's general undergraduate minimums: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 71.
Does a Trine Biology degree qualify for STEM OPT? Generally not in the same broad way as Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science; confirm your specific concentration's CIP code designation directly with Trine.