Tennessee · Biochemistry

Best colleges for Biochemistry in Tennessee

Ranked by graduate earnings

Vanderbilt University, Lipscomb University and Middle Tennessee State University award the most Biochemistry degrees and certificates in Tennessee: 77, 51 and 44 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Tennessee colleges offer Biochemistry and award 244 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…

Institutions
14
offering CIP 26.02
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
244
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$23,075
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,573
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
59%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Biochemists and Biophysicists
$150,580
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro Public · Bachelor's degree
$28,6424454%—$17,000
2Lipscomb University
Nashville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$23,0755172%$24,309$24,619

Colleges awarding the most Biochemistry degrees in Tennessee

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Vanderbilt University
Nashville Private not-for-profit
77Not reported
2Lipscomb University
Nashville Private not-for-profit
51$23,075
3Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro Public
44$28,642
4Union University
Jackson Private not-for-profit
13Not reported
5Belmont University
Nashville Private not-for-profit
12Not reported
6Southern Adventist University
Collegedale Private not-for-profit
11Not reported
7The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville Public
10Not reported
8Carson-Newman University
Jefferson City Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
9Maryville College
Maryville Private not-for-profit
6Not reported
10The University of the South
Sewanee Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
Show the other 4 Tennessee colleges offering Biochemistry
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Fisk UniversityNashvillePrivate not-for-profit3
Christian Brothers UniversityMemphisPrivate not-for-profit2
Cumberland UniversityLebanonPrivate not-for-profit2
Bethel UniversityMcKenziePrivate not-for-profit1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Biochemists and Biophysicists (SOC 19-1021).

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

Top skills

ScienceReading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningActive Learning

What Biochemists and Biophysicists earn in Tennessee

Jobs in Tennessee
60
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$150,580
median $134,560
Best-paying metro
$165,540
Knoxville, TN

Related careers

Biological Technicians
$57,910 avg · 1,240 jobs
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$94,800 avg · 830 jobs
Biological Scientists, All Other
$80,070 avg · 420 jobs
Microbiologists
$87,520 avg · 210 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Biochemistry programs in Tennessee.

Which Tennessee colleges award the most Biochemistry degrees?+

Vanderbilt University (77 graduates a year), Lipscomb University (51 graduates a year) and Middle Tennessee State University (44 graduates a year) award the most Biochemistry degrees and certificates in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Tennessee colleges offer Biochemistry.

Which Biochemistry program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Middle Tennessee State University tops the list at $28,642. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Biochemists and Biophysicists earn in Tennessee?+

The average annual wage for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Tennessee is $150,580 (median $134,560), across about 60 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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