Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at University of Tulsa

The estimated $25,489 in debt here exceeds what typical biochemistry bachelor's programs carry—national peers report a median of $23,000—while first-year earnings based on comparable programs land right at the national median of $38,000. For a field where most graduates continue to graduate or professional school, that debt burden matters more than it would in a career-ready major. The biochemistry pathway usually involves years of additional education before meaningful career earnings begin, making any undergraduate debt above the national norm a compounding concern.

University of Tulsa's selectivity (average SAT of 1325) suggests academically strong students who could access competitive graduate programs, but the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 indicates you'd be borrowing two-thirds of a first-year salary for credentials that typically serve as a stepping stone rather than a terminal degree. Oklahoma State, the only in-state program with reported data, shows graduates earning $29,720—about $8,000 less than national figures suggest for Tulsa—though direct comparison is difficult when working with estimates.

The practical challenge: if your child plans for medical school, PhD programs, or other graduate work (the norm for this major), taking on above-average undergraduate debt creates financial pressure during years of further education when income remains minimal. If they're planning to work immediately after the bachelor's degree, biochemistry jobs at this salary level often don't require the major itself. Before committing, confirm whether Tulsa's program feeds into strong graduate school placement that would justify the estimated debt load.