Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at University of Puget Sound

The modest debt load here—estimated at $25,489 based on typical borrowing patterns at University of Puget Sound—provides some cushion against the relatively low starting salary that biochemistry graduates in Washington typically see. With comparable programs in the state suggesting first-year earnings around $40,500, this translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63, though it still means borrowers will be dedicating a meaningful chunk of their early paychecks to loans.

What complicates the picture is that Washington State University's biochemistry graduates start at $46,514, nearly $6,000 more than what peer programs suggest for Puget Sound alumni. That gap matters when you're servicing debt, especially considering WSU's in-state tuition runs considerably lower than Puget Sound's private school price tag. The earnings estimate here sits just above the national median for the field, which means you're paying private school prices for middle-of-the-pack biochemistry outcomes.

The fit matters enormously for a program like this. If your student thrives in Puget Sound's small liberal arts environment and plans to pursue graduate school—where the bachelor's institution matters less than research experience and recommendations—the investment could make sense. But if the goal is to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, the combination of estimated modest earnings and higher private school debt creates a tighter financial margin than flagship university alternatives would offer.