Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Denison University

A prestigious liberal arts college charging $23,926 in debt (based on comparable Ohio programs) for what similar schools produce in first-year earnings—around $36,400—raises immediate questions about value. That 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, but it masks a harder reality: molecular biology graduates from nearby University of Cincinnati earn $48,348 in their first year, a third more than what peer programs in Ohio typically deliver. For families paying Denison's tuition with only 13% of students on Pell grants, these estimated figures suggest many are covering costs out-of-pocket or through private loans not captured here.

The national median of $38,036 isn't dramatically higher, which hints that Denison's outcomes might align with broader trends for this major. But molecular biology careers often require graduate school, meaning these first-year figures may reflect temporary lab technician positions rather than career trajectories. The estimated debt load is slightly above the $23,000 national median for this field, and when graduate school adds another $50,000-100,000 in loans, starting with nearly $24,000 from undergrad compounds the burden significantly.

The bottom line: Unless your child has substantial scholarship support or family funding, banking on estimated outcomes from peer programs at a highly selective school like Denison carries real risk. The data gaps here aren't Denison's fault, but they mean you're investing based on what similar Ohio programs produce, not proven results from this specific institution.