Best colleges for Biochemistry in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
Iowa State University, Cornell College and Grinnell College are the top bachelor's Biochemistry programs in Iowa by graduate earnings. Iowa State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,520, College Scorecard. University of Iowa, Grinnell College and Drake University award the most Biochemistry degrees in Iowa: 69, 39 and 34 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Iowa colleges offer Biochemistry and award 258 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Biochemistry program, officially titled Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, focuses on the chemical processes that occur within living organisms. This interdisciplinary field combines principles from both chemistry and…
Top 4 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa State University Ames Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,520 | 27 | 75% | — | $19,477 |
| 2 | Cornell College Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,164 | 31 | 62% | $23,073 | $27,000 |
| 3 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,598 | 39 | 88% | $14,470 | $16,549 |
| 4 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,991 | 69 | 75% | — | $21,626 |
Colleges awarding the most Biochemistry degrees in Iowa
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public | 69 | $29,991 |
| 2 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit | 39 | $38,598 |
| 3 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 34 | Not reported |
| 4 | Cornell College Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit | 31 | $39,164 |
| 5 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 27 | $43,520 |
| 6 | Simpson College Indianola Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 7 | Loras College Dubuque Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 9 | Wartburg College Waverly Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 10 | Central College Pella Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Iowa colleges offering Biochemistry
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand View University | Des Moines | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Briar Cliff University | Sioux City | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Coe College | Cedar Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Northwestern College | Orange City | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Biochemists and Biophysicists (SOC 19-1021).
Top skills
What Biochemists and Biophysicists earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Biochemistry programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Biochemistry degrees?+
University of Iowa (69 graduates a year), Grinnell College (39 graduates a year) and Drake University (34 graduates a year) award the most Biochemistry degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Iowa colleges offer Biochemistry.
What is the best college for Biochemistry in Iowa?+
By graduate earnings, Iowa State University leads among bachelor's Biochemistry programs in Iowa, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,520, College Scorecard. Cornell College and Grinnell College follow. By degrees awarded, University of Iowa is the largest, with 69 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Biochemistry program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Iowa State University tops the list at $43,520. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Biochemists and Biophysicists earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Iowa is $96,820 (median $101,090), across about 140 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Biochemistry program?+
The Biochemistry program, officially titled Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, focuses on the chemical processes that occur within living organisms. This interdisciplinary field combines principles from both chemistry and…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop science, reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Biochemists and Biophysicists?+
The national job outlook is about +5.8% growth with around 2,900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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