Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Saint Norbert College

A biochemistry degree from Saint Norbert College appears positioned right in the middle of Wisconsin's range for this major. Based on the three programs in the state with reported data, first-year earnings typically cluster around $44,000—putting Saint Norbert's estimated figure squarely in line with UW-Madison and just below UW-Stevens Point. The estimated debt of $25,489 sits slightly above the state median of $22,612, though still manageable at a 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio.

What complicates the picture here is that both earnings and debt figures are estimates—the actual graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to publish specific outcomes. This means you're looking at what comparable biochemistry programs produce, not what Saint Norbert's own graduates have experienced. The school's 92% admission rate and modest Pell grant enrollment suggest a less selective institution than UW-Madison, which could affect outcomes in ways these estimates can't capture.

The practical question: will a biochemistry degree from this small Catholic liberal arts college open the same doors as the flagship state university at roughly the same starting salary? If your child is headed to graduate school (common in this field), the debt load is reasonable. But if they're banking on that $44,000 figure to launch directly into industry, recognize that it's an educated guess based on peer programs, not a track record you can verify.