Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Drew University

Drew's $26,000 median debt sits well below the national average for biochemistry programs, which matters when first-year earnings from comparable New Jersey programs hover around $41,458. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 means graduates are looking at manageable repayment—roughly $290 monthly on a standard plan, or about 8% of gross income. The debt figure here is actual; the earnings are estimated from six similar programs across the state.

The earnings estimate aligns closely with what nearby schools report. Rutgers campuses and Princeton show graduates earning $41,000-$46,000 in their first year, suggesting Drew's biochemistry graduates likely fall within this range. These figures are modest for a STEM field, but they're consistent with what molecular biology bachelor's programs typically produce nationwide—this isn't a field where undergraduates command premium starting salaries without graduate training.

The calculation here favors Drew: lower-than-average debt combined with state-typical earnings. For families weighing whether to take on $26,000 for a biochemistry degree, the question isn't whether the numbers work—they do—but whether your child plans to pursue graduate school (where this degree really pays off) or enter the workforce directly. If grad school is the plan, this debt load won't anchor them to immediate high-paying work instead of further training.