Home Schools Point Loma Nazarene University Biochemistry
Biological Sciences · Biochemistry Rank #134 of 136

Biochemistryat Point Loma Nazarene University

Graduates earn $27,604/yr in their first year — about 27.0% below the national Biochemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $399K; scenarios range from $396K to $391K depending on AI disruption.

San Diego, CA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
18 AT RISK
19
Optimistic
23
Pessimistic
Earnings
$27,604
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.6x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$399K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Point Loma Nazarene University

The outcomes for this Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology program at Point Loma Nazarene can be surprising, especially given San Diego's robust biotech industry. A significant factor is often the program's strong emphasis on preparing students for *further education*, such as medical school or graduate programs in research. This means many graduates defer high earnings while pursuing advanced degrees, which are essential for reaching the top-tier scientist and manager roles you see listed.

For those aiming for immediate entry into San Diego's competitive life science sector, direct recruitment pipelines from a liberal arts institution like PLNU into major biotech firms might be less established than at larger research universities. Consequently, your initial roles could lean towards research assistant or lab technician positions, which generally offer lower starting salaries. If industry is your goal, you'll need to proactively seek extensive internships and network aggressively throughout your undergraduate years to secure a strong entry point.

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
$396K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$399K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score18/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$391K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score19/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Point Loma Nazarene University'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 Point Loma Nazarene University 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
Same state (CA)
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 Point Loma Nazarene University

Other top programs at Point Loma Nazarene University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Point Loma Nazarene University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Biochemistry at Point Loma Nazarene University

What does a 18/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biochemistry at Point Loma Nazarene University?

At 18/100, 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 Point Loma Nazarene University?

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.

Is Point Loma Nazarene University a good choice for Biochemistry despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Point Loma Nazarene University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.