Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at St. John Fisher University

A $26,000 debt load might sound manageable until you consider that similar biochemistry programs in New York suggest first-year earnings around $36,800—putting the debt at roughly 71% of that initial salary. That's a tighter squeeze than the national benchmark for this major, where typical debt runs closer to $23,000. For a science degree that often requires graduate school to unlock its full earning potential, starting with this debt burden could complicate those plans.

The earnings estimate itself, based on peer programs across New York, sits right at the state median but trails stronger performers by a notable margin. CUNY City College and Binghamton University graduates in this field start around $44,000, suggesting that program quality and institutional resources make a meaningful difference. Given St. John Fisher's 68% admission rate and modest selectivity, it's worth asking whether this particular program provides the lab experience, research opportunities, and faculty connections that justify private school pricing when SUNY options deliver better initial outcomes at lower cost.

If your child is set on graduate school in medicine or research, the debt matters less than the preparation quality—but you'll need to dig into this program's placement rates for medical school and PhD programs, data that isn't captured here. If they're considering stopping at the bachelor's level, comparable programs elsewhere in New York offer either better earnings or lower debt, making this a harder sell.