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Biological Sciences · Biochemistry Rank #16 of 136

Biochemistryat University of Colorado Boulder

Graduates earn $50,474/yr in their first year — about 33.0% above the national Biochemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $624K; scenarios range from $564K to $636K depending on AI disruption.

Boulder, CO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
53 AVERAGE
54
Optimistic
50
Pessimistic
Earnings
$50,474
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$624K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Colorado Boulder

The strong earnings from CU Boulder's program reflect its position within a vibrant regional biotech and life sciences ecosystem. The Denver-Boulder corridor boasts significant R&D investment and a concentration of companies—from established pharmaceutical and diagnostics firms to innovative startups and government labs like NREL or those at the Anschutz Medical Campus. This creates a robust demand for graduates skilled in complex experimental design, data analysis, and advanced scientific principles, often leading to roles in product development or specialized research. While some analytical tasks in the field face increasing AI integration, the program’s emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving prepares you for roles requiring human oversight and strategic leadership. Focus on securing extensive research experience and interdisciplinary internships to position yourself for higher-level scientific management or advanced academic pursuits.

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
$564K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple8.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$624K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple9.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$636K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple9.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Colorado Boulder'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 University of Colorado Boulder 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
California State University-Los Angeles
CA · Public
61
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
23.3x
ROI
Also at University of Colorado Boulder

Other top programs at University of Colorado Boulder

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Colorado Boulder, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Biochemistry at University of Colorado Boulder

How does University of Colorado Boulder's Biochemistry program score?

This program scores 53/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biochemistry graduates.

How vulnerable is Biochemistry to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Biochemistry careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does University of Colorado Boulder rank so high for Biochemistry?

The #16 ranking out of 136 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.