Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at Viterbo University

Based on comparable biochemistry programs in Wisconsin, Viterbo graduates can expect around $44,000 in first-year earnings—right in line with what students earn from UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee. The estimated $25,000 in debt produces a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly seven months of their starting salary. For context, the national median debt for this major sits at $23,000, so Viterbo's estimate is only modestly higher.

What's worth noting is that biochemistry graduates typically see significant salary growth as they move into specialized lab roles, pursue graduate degrees, or enter healthcare fields. The first-year figure represents entry-level positions—many in quality control, research assistance, or clinical labs—rather than the career ceiling. Wisconsin's life sciences sector, particularly in Madison and Milwaukee, offers solid opportunities for advancement.

The key uncertainty here is that these figures come from peer programs rather than Viterbo's own graduates, since the school's biochemistry cohort is too small for the DOE to report specific outcomes. Still, starting near the Wisconsin median with debt below six months' salary suggests reasonable value, especially for students planning to stay in the region where these credentials are well-understood by employers.