Biological And Biomedical Sciences

Best Biochemistry institutions in the US, ranked by earnings

Compare 704 U.S. colleges offering Biochemistry by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.

Institutions
704
offering CIP 26.02
States offered
51
with a program page
With earnings data
133
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
13,506
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$38,243
1 year after graduation
US pay · Biochemists and Biophysicists
$115,570
BLS OEWS 2024

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.

Learn more about Biochemistry

What you'll learn

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 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Northeastern University
Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$63,7819091%$18,925$23,250
2California State University - San Marcos
San Marcos, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$57,6822355%$16,666
3California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$57,5382986%$17,500
4MCPHS University
Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$51,9423162%$35,358$27,000
5University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO Public · Bachelor's degree
$50,4746874%$20,185
6California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$50,4282553%$16,730
7University of Massachusetts - Boston
Boston, MA Public · Bachelor's degree
$50,3521949%$24,996
8University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, MO Public · Bachelor's degree
$49,5092457%$27,316
9University of California - Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$49,1008583%$9,500
10University of San Diego
San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$48,7281284%$26,035$27,500
11University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree
$48,7215489%$19,500
12University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH Public · Bachelor's degree
$48,3482775%$19,000
13University of Delaware
Newark, DE Public · Bachelor's degree
$47,9122081%$25,334
14Brandeis University
Waltham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$47,4102786%$25,074$27,000
15University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree
$47,2363076%$27,000
16California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$46,6892156%$16,500
17Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$46,637568%$26,556$26,750
18Washington State University
Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree
$46,5145360%$22,500
19University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI Public · Bachelor's degree
$46,1552451%$23,850
20Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree
$46,1226584%$24,250
21Temple University
Philadelphia, PA Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,9942775%$25,500
22Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,799632%
23Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$45,5994091%$29,107
24Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, IN Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,5265680%$23,000
25California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,4532257%
26University of California - San Diego
La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,06620086%$17,500
27Texas State University
San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,8243555%$22,750
28Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$44,4421779%$34,418
29University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,32413983%$25,916
30CUNY City College
New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,1752757%
31Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$44,1423491%$20,918$13,435
32North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,1016085%$23,028
33Colgate University
Hamilton, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$44,0894391%$22,903$15,350
34University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,07425990%$20,948
35University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,9361949%$24,225
36Brown University
Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$43,6373896%$14,644$12,787
37Iowa State University
Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,5203075%$19,477
38Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,33319768%$20,250
39Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,3331010%$20,250
40California State University - Chico
Chico, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,8861763%$23,000
41Boston University
Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$42,85012889%$21,956$26,000
42Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$42,4742291%$21,126$19,000
43University of California - Davis
Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,26620186%$11,208
44Utah State University
Logan, UT Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,2363759%$16,750
45University of California - Irvine
Irvine, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,2005787%
46Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,0253965%$20,942
47Princeton University
Princeton, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$41,8489598%$13,729
48Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,7902848%$23,250
49Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,6256783%$18,540
50University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,4875769%$18,004

Offered across 51 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
Missouri15$49,509University of Missouri - St Louis
Delawarelimited1$47,912University of Delaware
Massachusetts28$47,410Northeastern University
New Hampshire4$47,236University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
Maryland14$46,637University of Maryland - College Park
Colorado10$45,799University of Colorado Boulder
Indiana24$45,526Indiana University - Bloomington
Vermont4$44,142Middlebury College
North Carolina16$44,101North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Wisconsin15$44,074University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Rhode Island5$43,637Brown University
Arizona8$43,333Arizona State University Campus Immersion
California50$42,266California State University - San Marcos
Utah5$42,236Utah State University
Washington11$42,025Washington State University
Connecticut12$41,790Central Connecticut State University
Kansas11$41,487University of Kansas
New Jersey16$41,068Rutgers University - New Brunswick
Iowa13$39,164Iowa State University
Illinois29$38,436Loyola University Chicago
New York65$37,206Vassar College
Ohio32$36,427University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Idaho5$35,779Brigham Young University - Idaho
Pennsylvania59$35,305Temple University
Virginia17$34,796Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Oregon9$34,566Portland State University
Minnesota20$34,299University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Nevadalimited2$33,983University of Nevada - Reno
Nebraska7$33,520University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Georgia13$33,408University of Georgia
Hawaii4$32,599University of Hawaii at Manoa
Michigan25$32,221Michigan State University
Texas42$32,027Texas State University
Florida15$31,074Florida State University
Mississippi5$30,565Mississippi State University
Oklahoma9$29,720Oklahoma State University - Main Campus
Tennessee14$28,642Middle Tennessee State University
Arkansas3$28,322Hendrix College
South Carolina10$28,120Clemson University
New Mexico3$23,648University of New Mexico - Main Campus
Alabama5
Alaskalimited1
District of Columbia6
Kentucky8
Louisiana8
Maine7
Montana3
North Dakota4
South Dakota4
West Virginialimited2
Wyominglimited1

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.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+5.8%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~2,900
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$103,650
typically Doctoral or professional degree
National employment
34,520
Biochemists and Biophysicists
US average pay
$115,570
annual, BLS OEWS 2024
US median pay
$103,650
annual

Top-paying metros

New Haven, CT
$170,670avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$142,170avg
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
$142,000avg
Boulder, CO
$140,470avg
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$136,480avg

Related careers

Biological Technicians
$58,020 avg · 76,190 jobs
Biological Scientists, All Other
$100,440 avg · 59,710 jobs
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$101,340 avg · 53,250 jobs
Biochemists and Biophysicists
$115,570 avg · 34,520 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Biochemistry programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Science
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Active Learning
Speaking
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
English Language
Physics
Education and Training

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.

Tools & technology

3D graphics softwareAccelrys Cerius2Accelrys FELIXAccelrys Insight IIAccelrys QAUNTAAdobe PhotoshopAnalysis and building softwareAssisted model building with energy refinement AMBER

Concentrations within Biochemistry

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • Biochemistry
    CIP 26.0202

    A program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemistry of living systems, their fundamental chemical substances and reactions, and their chemical pathways and information transfer systems, wi

  • Biophysics
    CIP 26.0203

    A program that focuses on the application of physics principles to the scientific study of the mechanisms of biological processes and assemblies at all levels of complexity

  • Molecular Biology
    CIP 26.0204

    A program that focuses on the scientific study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules and the role of molecular constituents and mechanisms in supramolecular assemblies and cells

  • Molecular Biochemistry
    CIP 26.0205

    A program that focuses on the scientific relationship of physiological function to the structure and actions of macromolecules and supramolecular assemblies such as multienzyme complexes, membranes, a

  • Molecular Biophysics
    CIP 26.0206

    A scientific program that focuses on the dynamics and interactions of macromolecules and other three-dimensional ultrastructures, the architecture of supramolecular structures, and energy transfer in

  • Structural Biology
    CIP 26.0207

    A program that focuses on the scientific study of submolecular and molecular components and assemblies of living systems and how they are organized into functional units such as cells and anatomic tis

  • Photobiology
    CIP 26.0208

    A program that focuses on the scientific study of the effects of light energy on living organisms, the manufacture and processing of luminescence by organisms, and the uses of light in biological rese

  • Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
    CIP 26.0209

    A program that focuses on the effects of radiation on organisms and biological systems

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    CIP 26.0210

    A program of study that combines the biological sub-disciplines of biochemistry and molecular biology

  • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
    CIP 26.0299

    Any instructional program in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology not listed above.

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.

Related programs

Other programs in the same field of study.

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