Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville

A debt load near $24,000 against first-year earnings around $36,000 sounds reasonable on paper, but these figures come from just three comparable biochemistry programs in Ohio—a small pool that may not accurately reflect what Franciscan graduates specifically experience. The 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable loan payments, yet this estimate sits at the lower end of the state's earnings range, where schools like Cincinnati report graduates earning $48,000 right out of the gate.

What makes this harder to assess is the nature of biochemistry degrees themselves. Nationally, these programs show wide earnings variation—from $22,000 to $48,000 even among Ohio schools—often depending on whether graduates pursue research positions, industry roles, or continue to graduate school. Without knowing where Franciscan's specific graduates land in this spectrum, you're making a financial commitment based on what similar programs produce, not what this school delivers.

The practical concern: if your student plans to work immediately after graduation rather than pursue advanced degrees, that estimated $36,000 starting salary leaves little cushion in an expensive field. Before committing, ask the department directly about graduate outcomes—where recent biochemistry majors are working, how many continue to grad school, and what support exists for landing competitive positions. These answers matter more than statewide averages when you're writing the tuition checks.