Location: Rochester, NY•In-State Tuition: $37,504•Admission Rate: 78%•Avg SAT: 1205
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,823
Est. from NY median (10 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,000
Est. from NY median (5 programs)

Analysis

Roberts Wesleyan's biochemistry program presents a challenging financial proposition based on what we know from similar New York programs. With estimated first-year earnings around $36,800 and debt near $26,000, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71—manageable in absolute terms, but concerning when you consider that biochemistry majors typically pursue additional education. If your child plans to continue to graduate or professional school, they'd be carrying this debt into programs that often involve significant additional borrowing.

The estimated earnings track closely with New York's state median for biochemistry programs, but fall well short of what top-performing schools achieve. SUNY Geneseo graduates earn similar amounts with substantially lower debt, while CUNY City College produces biochemistry alumni earning $44,000—about 20% more than comparable programs suggest for Roberts Wesleyan. For a private institution charging tuition that generates $26,000 in debt, the program doesn't appear to deliver earnings that justify the premium over public alternatives.

The reality is that Roberts Wesleyan likely doesn't have enough biochemistry graduates for the Department of Education to report their actual outcomes. This matters because you're making a significant investment based on peer program performance rather than this school's track record. If your child is serious about biochemistry, explore whether Roberts Wesleyan has strong graduate school placement rates or research opportunities that might explain choosing it over lower-cost SUNY options.

Where Roberts Wesleyan University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology bachelors's programs nationally

Roberts Wesleyan University (estimated ±10%)Other biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (62 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester$37,504$36,823*—$26,000*—
Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie$67,805$45,599*——*—
CUNY City CollegeNew York$7,340$44,175*——*—
Colgate UniversityHamilton$67,024$44,089*—$15,350*0.35
Binghamton UniversityVestal$10,363$41,305*$68,227$18,139*0.44
SUNY College at GeneseoGeneseo$8,966$37,206*—$22,986*0.62
National Median—$38,036*—$23,000*0.60
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biochemists and Biophysicists

Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.

$103,650/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Microbiologists

Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms.

$87,330/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

Bioinformatics Scientists

Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Roberts Wesleyan University, approximately 40% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 10 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.