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Biological Sciences · Biochemistry Rank #132 of 136

Biochemistryat University of South Carolina-Columbia

Graduates earn $23,763/yr in their first year — about 37.0% below the national Biochemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $376K; scenarios range from $378K to $366K depending on AI disruption.

Columbia, SC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
21 AT RISK
22
Optimistic
23
Pessimistic
Earnings
$23,763
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.7x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$376K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of South Carolina

The initial earnings data for UofSC's Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology program suggests a unique career landscape compared to the national average. This often reflects the regional labor market, which may not have the same density of high-paying biotech or pharmaceutical industry jobs found in major research hubs. Many graduates might initially find roles as lab technicians, research assistants in academic settings, or in more general science positions within South Carolina, which, while valuable, typically offer more modest starting salaries for bachelor's degree holders. The higher-earning scientific and managerial careers listed often require further specialized education, such as a Master's or PhD, or extensive experience to reach. To navigate this, focus heavily on gaining practical lab skills and pursuing internships with diverse employers during your studies, as these experiences will be crucial for distinguishing yourself and building a competitive profile for future opportunities.

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
$378K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple7.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$376K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score21/100
Earnings Multiple7.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$366K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score22/100
Earnings Multiple7.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of South Carolina'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 South Carolina 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 University of South Carolina

Other top programs at University of South Carolina

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of South Carolina, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Biochemistry at University of South Carolina

How does University of South Carolina-Columbia's Biochemistry program score?

This program scores 21/100 — on the lower end for Biochemistry. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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 are Biochemistry earnings lower at University of South Carolina-Columbia?

Lower starting pay at University of South Carolina-Columbia may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.