Best colleges for Biochemistry in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, University of Richmond and Southern Virginia University award the most Biochemistry degrees in Virginia: 118, 33 and 18 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Virginia colleges offer Biochemistry and award 275 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 3 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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,927 | 118 | 86% | — | $24,125 |
| 2 | University of Richmond University of Richmond Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,796 | 33 | 85% | $24,049 | $23,346 |
| 3 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,819 | 12 | 46% | — | $23,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Biochemistry degrees in Virginia
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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public | 118 | $35,927 |
| 2 | University of Richmond University of Richmond Private not-for-profit | 33 | $34,796 |
| 3 | Southern Virginia University Buena Vista Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 4 | Washington and Lee University Lexington Private not-for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
| 5 | Hampton University Hampton Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 6 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public | 12 | $25,819 |
| 7 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 8 | Marymount University Arlington Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 10 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 7 Virginia colleges offering Biochemistry
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke College | Salem | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | Public | 5 |
| Bridgewater College | Bridgewater | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Eastern Mennonite University | Harrisonburg | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Shenandoah University | Winchester | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Mary Baldwin University | Staunton | 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 Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Biochemistry programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Biochemistry degrees?+
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (118 graduates a year), University of Richmond (33 graduates a year) and Southern Virginia University (18 graduates a year) award the most Biochemistry degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Virginia colleges offer Biochemistry.
Which Biochemistry program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University tops the list at $35,927. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Biochemists and Biophysicists earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Virginia is $126,950 (median $105,780), across about 70 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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