Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Saint Francis University

Similar biochemistry programs in Pennsylvania point to a troubling financial start: first-year earnings around $35,000 against estimated debt of $27,000. That 0.76 debt ratio isn't catastrophic, but it means graduates are likely carrying nearly three-quarters of their first-year salary in loans—a heavier burden than the national median debt of $23,000 for this major. While the estimated earnings align with Pennsylvania's state median for biochemistry programs, they fall short of the $38,000 national benchmark and trail considerably behind Temple ($46,000) and Saint Joseph's ($44,000) graduates in the same state.

The real concern here is what typically happens next for biochemistry graduates: many need graduate school to reach their career goals, meaning this bachelor's degree may be just the first round of borrowing. Starting with $27,000 in debt before potentially adding tens of thousands more for an advanced degree creates a compounding financial challenge. Peer programs suggest limited earning power immediately after this bachelor's degree, which makes that debt harder to manage while preparing for or attending graduate school.

Parents should recognize that these figures are estimates based on comparable Pennsylvania programs, not Saint Francis's actual outcomes, which aren't publicly available due to small graduate cohorts. The key question is whether this particular path—with its estimated debt load and modest starting earnings—positions your student well for either immediate employment or the graduate education most biochemistry careers require.