Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at DePauw University

A $20,750 debt load sits comfortably below both the national median ($23,000) and the state average ($19,645) for biochemistry programs, which is good news from DePauw's selective admissions environment. The challenge comes on the earnings side: comparable biochemistry programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $38,000, but Indiana's biochemistry graduates typically start closer to $43,600. That's a significant gap—about $5,500 more annually—that similar programs at Purdue and IU Bloomington appear to deliver.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 means the estimated debt roughly equals half a year's salary, which is manageable by conventional standards. However, DePauw's relatively low Pell Grant enrollment (16%) suggests this is primarily attracting students from higher-income families who may have additional resources to bridge any earnings shortfall. For families counting on immediate return-on-investment, the fact that peer programs in Indiana are showing 15% higher starting salaries deserves serious consideration, especially since biochemistry often requires graduate school to fully leverage the degree.

The bottom line: DePauw keeps debt reasonable, but if your child is Indiana-bound and considering staying in-state afterward, programs at IU or Purdue show stronger early earning potential based on their reported outcomes. If DePauw offers other advantages—research opportunities, graduate school placement, smaller class sizes—those factors need to compensate for what appears to be a modest earnings disadvantage compared to Indiana's flagship programs.