Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at University of San Diego

University of San Diego's biochemistry program shows impressive national rankings—95th percentile—but the California context reveals a different picture. With first-year earnings of $48,728, graduates earn more than the national median ($38,036) yet trail the state median ($42,266 is CA median, but USD grads actually exceed this—they land at the 60th percentile statewide). They're earning less than peers at Cal Poly SLO or UCSB while carrying $27,500 in debt, notably higher than California's $17,200 median for this major. That said, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 remains manageable, and the 45% earnings jump to $70,621 by year four suggests strong mid-career positioning.

The small sample size here matters—we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates, which means one or two outliers could skew the picture significantly. What we can say: USD charges private school prices (evident in the higher debt) at a school where only 19% of students receive Pell grants, serving a more affluent population. If your child is comparing this to UC or CSU options, the in-state publics deliver comparable or better earnings with substantially less debt. The value proposition improves if USD is offering significant merit aid that closes the debt gap with public alternatives.