Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Georgetown University

Georgetown's estimated first-year earnings of $38,000 for biochemistry graduates land right at the national median for this degree, which raises questions given the university's elite status and $25,500 in projected debt. With a 13% admission rate and average SAT scores near 1500, families might reasonably expect stronger outcomes than what peer programs typically deliver—yet similar biochemistry bachelor's programs nationwide show graduates earning in the high $30,000s regardless of institutional prestige.

The 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory, meaning graduates can expect debt roughly two-thirds of their first-year salary. However, this assumes the career path moves beyond entry-level positions quickly. Many biochemistry graduates pursue graduate or medical school, where these bachelor's-level earnings represent a temporary phase rather than the full picture. If your child plans to stop at a bachelor's degree and work immediately, the modest starting salary deserves serious consideration given Georgetown's total cost of attendance.

For families paying full price at Georgetown, the investment calculus is challenging. The estimated figures suggest this program performs comparably to far less selective schools, though the small graduate sample that triggered data suppression makes it hard to know if Georgetown's networking advantages or research opportunities translate into better outcomes than these national averages suggest. If graduate school is the plan, focus on minimizing undergraduate debt; if not, carefully weigh whether Georgetown's name justifies the premium over more affordable options with similar projected returns.