Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Keuka College

Borrowing $26,000 for a degree that peers suggest will start you around $36,800 might sound reasonable on paper, but the devil's in the details for biochemistry degrees. Similar bachelor's programs in New York typically see first-year earnings that barely exceed what many lab technician positions offer—and that's before student loan payments kick in. With a 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio based on comparable programs, graduates would be dedicating a significant chunk of that modest starting salary to loan repayment.

The contrast with New York's stronger biochemistry programs is stark. While peer programs statewide suggest earnings in the mid-$30,000s, actual reported outcomes from SUNY Geneseo ($37,206), Binghamton ($41,305), and especially top-tier options like Vassar ($45,599) show that school choice matters considerably in this field. Those $8,000-9,000 annual differences compound quickly over a career, yet Keuka's estimated debt load sits higher than the state median of $23,118.

For families considering this path, the question becomes whether Keuka's small-college experience justifies both the higher estimated debt and the likelihood of earnings at the lower end of New York's range. Given that 44% of students receive Pell grants, many families here are particularly debt-sensitive. If biochemistry is truly the goal, the SUNY system offers programs with both lower costs and demonstrated stronger outcomes—a combination that's hard to argue against when the figures suggest you'll be stretching to make loan payments work.