Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Gordon College

Similar biochemistry programs across Massachusetts suggest first-year earnings around $47,000 with typical debt of $27,000—figures that place Gordon roughly at the state median but well above the national benchmark of $38,000. While we can't see Gordon's actual graduate outcomes (the sample size is too small for federal reporting), peer programs in Massachusetts consistently outperform the national average for this major, which provides some reassurance about the regional market.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 falls within reasonable territory for a science degree, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in well under a year if they dedicated all first-year earnings to debt—a standard that suggests manageable borrowing. However, it's worth noting that the top programs in the state report significantly higher starting salaries, with Northeastern grads earning $64,000 and even public options like UMass-Boston reaching $50,000.

For parents evaluating Gordon's biochemistry program, the question becomes whether the school's particular strengths—smaller class sizes, faith integration, or specific research opportunities—justify potentially foregoing the earnings premium seen at larger research universities. The financial picture based on comparable programs isn't alarming, but without actual data from Gordon's graduates, you're essentially betting that their outcomes mirror the state average rather than falling below it.