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Biological Sciences · Biochemistry Rank #95 of 136

Biochemistryat Grinnell College

Graduates earn $38,598/yr in their first year — about 2.0% above the national Biochemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $744K; scenarios range from $654K to $767K depending on AI disruption.

Grinnell, IA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
35 AT RISK
35
Optimistic
35
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,598
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$744K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Grinnell College

Your Grinnell Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology degree provides a robust foundation for scientific inquiry, often serving as a strong launchpad into advanced education. Many graduates leverage Grinnell's rigorous curriculum and research opportunities to pursue MDs, PhDs, or specialized master's programs, particularly given the college's national reputation. While Grinnell's rural Iowa location means fewer immediate local biotech employers, your degree is portable, preparing you for roles in major research hubs or pharmaceutical companies. The program's focus on critical thinking and complex problem-solving is crucial, especially as AI continues to transform the research landscape by automating routine lab tasks and data analysis. To thrive, focus on developing high-level experimental design and interpretive skills, rather than just technical execution.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$654K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score35/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$744K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score35/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$767K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score35/100
Earnings Multiple3.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Grinnell College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Biochemistry graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Biochemists and biophysicists
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$103,650/yr
Moderate
3
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
4
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
5
Microbiologists
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$87,330/yr
Moderate
6
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Biochemistry

How Grinnell College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
California State University-San Marcos
CA · Public
54
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
17.6x
ROI
Top score
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
61
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
15.4x
ROI
MCPHS University
MA · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
3.6x
ROI
University of Colorado Boulder
CO · Public
53
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
9.5x
ROI
Also at Grinnell College

Other top programs at Grinnell College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Grinnell College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Biochemistry at Grinnell College

What does a 35/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biochemistry at Grinnell College?

At 35/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biochemistry programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Biochemistry at Grinnell College?

The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

What do students actually pay for Biochemistry at Grinnell College?

The 76% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $259,448. At a net cost of $62,432, the earnings multiple improves substantially.