Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Loyola University Maryland

Based on comparable biochemistry programs in Maryland, Loyola's estimated $41,740 first-year salary sits right at the state median—suggesting this program prepares students competitively for the Baltimore biotech corridor. That estimated salary exceeds the national benchmark of $38,036, though it trails top Maryland programs like College Park and Stevenson, which report earnings in the high $40,000s. The estimated debt of $25,489 translates to a manageable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about seven months of their first-year salary.

What complicates the picture is that both figures are estimates drawn from peer programs rather than actual Loyola outcomes, likely because the school graduates too few students in this major for the Department of Education to publish data. This makes it harder to assess whether Loyola's particular approach—smaller classes, teaching-focused environment—translates into outcomes that justify the private school price tag over Maryland's public options.

For families weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if your student thrives in Loyola's Jesuit liberal arts setting and plans to stay in the Baltimore-Washington corridor where the school has established connections. But if grad school isn't in the picture and medical school dreams don't pan out, make sure your student can graduate with debt close to or below that $25,000 estimate, since biochemistry bachelor's salaries don't leave much cushion for significantly higher borrowing.