Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Seattle Pacific University

Biochemistry graduates in Washington typically start around $40,500—slightly above the national median for this field—but the estimated $25,500 in debt at Seattle Pacific exceeds what most Washington programs report. That 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming on its face, but it means your child would be dedicating roughly two-thirds of their first-year salary to paying down loans, assuming standard repayment schedules.

What's harder to assess here is Seattle Pacific's competitive position. The top biochemistry programs in Washington—places like WSU and Western Washington—report first-year earnings in the $42,000-$46,000 range with lower debt loads. Seattle Pacific's relatively open admissions (91% acceptance rate) and the fact that outcomes data had to be estimated from peer programs suggest this isn't drawing the same caliber of research opportunities or industry connections that drive higher starting salaries in the life sciences.

For a field where graduate school is often the next step, starting with $25,500 in undergraduate debt matters more than it would in a direct-to-career major. If your child is serious about research or medical school, the debt-to-opportunity calculus shifts significantly. Compare this program directly against Washington's public universities, where reported outcomes suggest better value and where graduate programs may view the credential more favorably.