Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

The $27,000 debt load here sits at the low end nationally—only 5% of biochemistry programs leave graduates with less debt—which matters when first-year earnings from similar programs cluster around $38,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 is manageable by most standards, suggesting graduates can realistically pay down their loans without financial distress in those early career years.

The caveat: these earnings figures come from the national median since North Dakota State's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to publish. Similar programs across the country typically produce these $38,000 starting salaries, but this specific program's outcomes remain uncertain. For a science degree at an open-admission institution, these peer-based estimates seem plausible—biochemistry graduates usually pursue research positions, graduate school, or lab work that offers steady if unspectacular starting pay.

The real advantage here is the debt control. Even if actual earnings fall somewhat below the national peer average, owing $27,000 instead of $30,000-plus keeps monthly payments reasonable. For families nervous about biochemistry's career paths—which often require graduate degrees or medical school—graduating with relatively modest debt preserves options. Just know you're betting on a program whose specific graduate outcomes remain unpublished, so the national peer data is your best proxy for what to expect.