Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Degrees (2026 stats)
Executive Summary (TL;DR)
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology maps to BLS occupations averaging about $132,367, with roughly 24,480 workers nationwide in those roles. About 11,339 degrees completed in recent IPEDS counts; median program completion runs near 58%.
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology: what the data shows
Common questions about biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology degrees, answered from IPEDS, College Scorecard, BLS OEWS, and O*NET in this repository—not program marketing copy.
What is a biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology degree?
A Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology program is classified under NCES CIP 26.0200 in the Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology field family (00.26).
IPEDS counted 11,339 completions for this CIP in the survey year in our extract.
Types of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology degrees and related programs
Other NCES program codes in the 00.26 family with pages on EDsmart Data:
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology (CIP 00.2611)
- Biotechnology (CIP 00.2612)
- Botany/Plant Biology (CIP 00.2603)
- Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (CIP 00.2604)
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (CIP 00.2613)
- Genetics (CIP 00.2608)
- Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (CIP 00.2605)
- Molecular Medicine (CIP 00.2614)
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences (CIP 00.2615)
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (CIP 00.2610)
- Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences (CIP 00.2609)
- Zoology/Animal Biology (CIP 00.2607)
How long does it take to get a biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology degree?
Award levels reported to IPEDS for CIP 26.0200 in our file:
- 25 Master's (100.0% of IPEDS total)—one to two years beyond a bachelor's
Time to completion depends on enrollment intensity and transfer credits; figures above describe credential type, not calendar time for every student.
What do you learn in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology?
O*NET skill ratings for occupations mapped to this major emphasize Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Active Learning, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, and related competencies. See the Skills section for the full list in our extract.
What jobs can you get with a biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology degree?
Our degree→occupation mapping links Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology to the BLS roles below. Employment is U.S. OEWS; median wage is national May 2024 where published in our extract.
| Occupation | U.S. employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic Counselors | 3,510 | $98,910 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 16,600 | $71,410 |
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists | — | — |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | 34,520 | $103,650 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 76,570 | $73,850 |
| Veterinarians | 80,630 | $125,510 |
See Careers & Jobs for mean wages and industry context.
Is a biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology degree worth it?
College Scorecard national medians for the Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology bachelor's program family: median debt $31,508, median earnings $65,466 four years after enrollment. Debt-to-earnings proxy: 0.82.
About 8.1% of graduates in this field family were not working and not enrolled one year after completion in Scorecard's national program medians.
Among schools reporting in our Scorecard extract, median published in-state tuition is $10,449 and median net price is $21,344.
We do not score "worth" on opinion—compare debt, earnings, wages for mapped occupations, and completion data above against your cost and career target.
Institutions
Information about the types of higher education institutions that grant degrees in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and the types of students that study this field.
Tuition Costs for Common Institutions
$10,449 Median In-State Public
$42,380 Median Out of State Private
Tuition costs for Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology majors are, on average, $10,449 for in-state public colleges, and $42,380 for out of state private colleges.
Tuition costs comparison for Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology programs.
Degrees Awarded Over Time
11,339 Total Degrees Awarded in 2023
This chart shows the number of degrees awarded in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology from 2015 to 2023.
Historical trend of degrees awarded in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.
Top 5 Schools by Enrollment
| # | School | State | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Canyon University | AZ | 68,619 |
| 2 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | AZ | 64,398 |
| 3 | Texas A&M University-College Station | TX | 59,099 |
| 4 | Liberty University | VA | 50,059 |
| 5 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion | AZ | 49,000 |
Schools with the largest enrollment offering Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology programs.
Top 5 Most Affordable Tuition
| # | School | State | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glendale Community College | AZ | $2,358 |
| 2 | GateWay Community College | AZ | $2,358 |
| 3 | Mesa Community College | AZ | $2,358 |
| 4 | Phoenix College | AZ | $2,358 |
| 5 | Rio Salado College | AZ | $2,358 |
Schools with the lowest tuition costs for Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology programs.
Top 5 Lowest Net Price
| # | School | State | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coahoma Community College | MS | $560 |
| 2 | CUNY Hunter College | NY | $2,446 |
| 3 | CUNY City College | NY | $3,486 |
| 4 | California State University-Dominguez Hills | CA | $3,659 |
| 5 | East Mississippi Community College | MS | $3,880 |
Schools with the lowest average net price for Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology programs.
Graduation Rates
58.32% Median Graduation Rate (150% of normal time)
58.65% Average Graduation Rate
133 Institutions Reporting
48.25% - 69.94% Interquartile Range
Graduation/completion rates for Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology programs across institutions.
Related specializations
Other NCES program codes in the 00.26 CIP family with dedicated pages on EDsmart Data.
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology CIP 00.2611
- Biotechnology CIP 00.2612
- Botany/Plant Biology CIP 00.2603
- Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences CIP 00.2604
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology CIP 00.2613
- Genetics CIP 00.2608
- Microbiological Sciences and Immunology CIP 00.2605
- Molecular Medicine CIP 00.2614
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences CIP 00.2615
- Pharmacology and Toxicology CIP 00.2610
- Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences CIP 00.2609
- Zoology/Animal Biology CIP 00.2607
Degree Levels (IPEDS)
Completions reported to IPEDS for CIP 26.0200 in the survey year used in our extract (25 total across levels below).
- 25 Master's (100.0% of IPEDS total)
Source: IPEDS Completions (c2024_a), summed by award level for this CIP.
Careers & Jobs
Occupations linked to this major in our degree→career mapping, with wages and employment from processed BLS career profiles in this repo.
Across these BLS occupations, employment-weighted mean pay is about $132,367. Figures are national OEWS estimates for the occupation—not earnings of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology graduates alone.
Related occupations (BLS OEWS)
| Occupation | Mean annual wage | U.S. employment |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic Counselors | $143,815 | 3,510 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $94,151 | 16,600 |
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists | — | — |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $133,564 | 34,520 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $96,955 | 76,570 |
| Veterinarians | $172,853 | 80,630 |
Open each occupation for full career profile charts and industry breakdowns on EDsmart Data.
Program outcomes (College Scorecard)
National medians across bachelor's programs in the Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology CIP family (25 programs reporting debt). Not specific to every Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology graduate.
- $31,508 median federal loan debt among completers
- $65,466 median earnings four years after enrollment (national program median)
- 0.82 debt-to-earnings ratio (Scorecard proxy)
- 8.1% of graduates not working and not enrolled one year out (program cohort)
Source: College Scorecard program-level outcomes aggregated by 4-digit CIP family.
Employment
Wages and industry mix below use BLS OEWS data for occupations linked to this major in our mapping—not a graduate earnings survey.
Yearly Income for Common Jobs
$130,252 Average wage, mapped occupations (OEWS)
Occupations mapped to Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology average $130,252 a year in the BLS OEWS extract.
Average annual salaries of the most common occupations for Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology majors.
Occupations by Share
24,480 2023 Workforce
The number of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology graduates in the workforce has been growing.
Various jobs filled by those with a major in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology by share of the total number of graduates.
Diversity
Demographic information for those who earn a degree in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology in the United States.
Workforce Age
N/A Average Age in 2023
This chart shows distribution of ages for employees with a degree in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.
Age distribution for Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology degree holders in the workforce.
Gender Distribution
Gender distribution data is not available for this degree program.
Gender distribution of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology degree recipients.
Race and Ethnicity Distribution
Race and ethnicity distribution data is not available for this degree program.
Racial and ethnic distribution of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology degree recipients.
Degrees Awarded
The most common degree types awarded to students graduating in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology are Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree, and Associates Degree.
Distribution of degree types awarded in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.
Skills
Data on the critical and distinctive skills necessary for those working in the Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology field from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Required Skills
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology majors need many skills, but most especially Critical Thinking, Active Listening, and Reading Comprehension.
Rating of how necessary various skills are for Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology majors.
Skills Bar Chart
This bar chart shows the same information as the radar chart, displaying the importance of each skill.
Skill importance ratings for Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology majors.
About
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
In 2023, 11,339 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.
CIP Code
26.0200 - Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
What the data shows
At the program-family level, College Scorecard reports median debt of $31,508 for bachelor's completers and median earnings near $65,466, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82. Those figures describe national program cohorts in this CIP family—not every individual Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology graduate.
About 8.1% of graduates in this field family were not working and not enrolled one year after completion in Scorecard's national program medians. That is a program-level mobility signal, not a national underemployment rate.
Mapped BLS occupations show employment-weighted mean pay of about $132,367. The largest mapped role by headcount is Genetic Counselors (3,510 U.S. jobs in OEWS).
Published tuition medians in College Scorecard land at $10,449 in-state at public colleges and $42,380 at private institutions for programs in this field.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, IPEDS completion data, and Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Employment and wage data are from the most recent Census Bureau ACS PUMS estimates.