Best colleges for Biochemistry
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Biochemistry by graduate earnings are Northeastern University ($63,781), California State University - San Marcos ($57,682) and California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($57,538), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Northeastern University (Boston, MA): $63,781, 125 graduates a year
- California State University - San Marcos (San Marcos, CA): $57,682, 37 graduates a year
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $57,538, 39 graduates a year
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (Boston, MA): $51,942, 35 graduates a year
- University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, CO): $50,474, 70 graduates a year
Compare 711 U.S. colleges offering Biochemistry by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 52 states.
Biochemistry programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,436 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 26.02 and the Biochemists and Biophysicists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Biochemistry programs
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 biology, making it ideal for students interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that underpin life. Students will explore various specializations, including structural biology, enzymology, and metabolism.
In this program, you will develop essential skills in science, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics, equipping you with the knowledge to conduct research and analyze complex biological processes.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $63,781 | 125 | 91% | $18,925 | $23,250 |
| 2 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,682 | 37 | 55% | — | $16,666 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,538 | 39 | 86% | — | $17,500 |
| 4 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,942 | 35 | 62% | $35,358 | $27,000 |
| 5 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,474 | 70 | 74% | — | $20,185 |
| 6 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,428 | 34 | 53% | — | $16,730 |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,352 | 26 | 49% | — | $24,996 |
| 8 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,509 | 26 | 57% | — | $27,316 |
| 9 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,100 | 88 | 83% | — | $9,500 |
| 10 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,721 | 50 | 89% | — | $19,500 |
| 11 | Brandeis University Waltham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,410 | 32 | 86% | $25,074 | $27,000 |
| 12 | University of New Hampshire Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,236 | 34 | 76% | — | $27,000 |
| 13 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,689 | 23 | 56% | — | $16,500 |
| 14 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,514 | 48 | 60% | — | $22,500 |
| 15 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,122 | 67 | 84% | — | $24,250 |
| 16 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,994 | 22 | 75% | — | $25,500 |
| 17 | Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,599 | 36 | 91% | $29,107 | — |
| 18 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,526 | 69 | 80% | — | $23,000 |
| 19 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,453 | 21 | 57% | — | — |
| 20 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,066 | 249 | 86% | — | $17,500 |
| 21 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,824 | 40 | 55% | — | $22,750 |
| 22 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,324 | 140 | 83% | — | $25,916 |
| 23 | CUNY City College New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,175 | 23 | 57% | — | — |
| 24 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,142 | 42 | 91% | $20,918 | $13,435 |
| 25 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,101 | 77 | 85% | — | $23,028 |
Specializations within Biochemistry
9 of the 10 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 26.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- BiochemistryCIP 26.020210,036 graduates / yr593 institutions51 states
- Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyCIP 26.02101,607 graduates / yr98 institutions39 states
- Molecular BiologyCIP 26.02041,352 graduates / yr75 institutions31 states
- Molecular BiochemistryCIP 26.0205494 graduates / yr18 institutions10 states
- BiochemistryCIP 26.0299330 graduates / yr21 institutions16 states
- BiophysicsCIP 26.0203266 graduates / yr52 institutions22 states
- Molecular BiophysicsCIP 26.0206partial data207 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states
- Radiation Biology/CIP 26.0209
Radiobiology partial data25 graduates / yr5 institutions5 states - Structural BiologyCIP 26.0207limited data17 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Show all 10 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Photobiology26.0208
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 52 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1021, Biochemists and Biophysicists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Biochemistry program can expect a promising career outlook, with a projected job growth rate of 5.8% and approximately 2,900 annual openings. Many positions in this field require a doctoral or professional degree, and the median wage for biochemists is around $103,650.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Biochemistry
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 26.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 26.02 (Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 19-1021 | Biochemists and Biophysicistsprimary |
| 19-1022 | Microbiologists |
| 19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other |
| 19-1042 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists |
| 19-4013 | Food Science Technicians |
| 19-4021 | Biological Technicians |
| 25-1042 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Biochemistry programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
- Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
- Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
- Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
- Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
- Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
Common questions
What is biochemistry?+
Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within living organisms, integrating concepts from both chemistry and biology.
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, and Structural Biology, among others.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, writing, and effective communication.
What are the career prospects for biochemistry graduates?+
The field offers strong job growth, with a median wage of $103,650 and many positions requiring a doctoral degree.
How much do Biochemistry graduates earn?+
Biochemistry graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,436, College Scorecard (2019); the Biochemists and Biophysicists occupation pays about $129,840 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Biochemistry?+
Biochemistry maps to CIP 26.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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