Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at University of Denver

University of Denver biochemistry graduates earn $32,613 in their first year—nearly $10,000 below Colorado's median for this major and $6,000 below the national average. This ranks in the bottom quartile both statewide and nationally, despite DU's selective admissions profile. For comparison, biochemistry graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn $50,474, while even Metropolitan State University grads start at $45,799. You're essentially paying private school tuition for earnings closer to what less selective public institutions deliver.

The debt burden tells a better story at $26,293—slightly below average for both Colorado and the nation. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81, the numbers are technically manageable. However, context matters: this ratio only looks reasonable because the debt is low, not because the earnings justify the investment. When your child could attend CU Boulder or CSU and earn 30-50% more right out of college, that's real money left on the table during critical early career years.

For families counting on a biochemistry degree to lead to medical school or graduate programs, these earnings may not matter much since they're transitional anyway. But if your child plans to enter the workforce after graduation—whether in lab work, research, or industry—this program significantly underperforms its Colorado peers. Unless DU offers compelling non-financial advantages for your family, the state's public options deliver substantially better returns.