Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Clarkson University

Clarkson's biochemistry program carries $26,000 in debt—above both the state and national medians for this field—while estimated first-year earnings of $36,800 place graduates near the middle of the pack among New York biochemistry programs. That debt load sits at the 25th percentile nationally, meaning three-quarters of comparable programs saddle students with more debt, which offers some reassurance. Still, the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 means graduates would owe roughly 71% of their first year's salary, a level that could strain repayment even on an income-driven plan.

The estimation here matters because we're inferring outcomes from ten New York programs rather than tracking Clarkson's specific graduates. The school's 77% admission rate and modest Pell enrollment suggest it enrolls a fairly traditional student body, but without direct data, we can't know whether Clarkson's biochemistry graduates outperform or underperform the state average. The top New York programs—Vassar, City College, Colgate—show first-year earnings approaching $45,000, roughly 20% higher than what we'd estimate here.

For parents, the essential question is whether $26,000 in debt makes sense when peer programs in New York produce similar early earnings. If your student is choosing between Clarkson and a SUNY option with lower debt, the numbers favor the public route. If they're already committed to Clarkson's particular research opportunities or campus culture, the debt burden is manageable but not negligible—expect tight budgets in those early working years.