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Biochemistry at Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,025/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Large (45,200 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #36 of 136 Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biochemistry graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $545K $540K $501K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.7x 14.5x 13.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.8x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 58% 53% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,144
Out-of-state: $111,412 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,720
-101% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,166
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,230
31% growth from Year 1

About Western Washington University

Western Washington University has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 13,574 students in Bellingham, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Washington University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Biochemists and biophysicists $103,650/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 136 schools offering Biochemistry →

Biochemistry at Other Schools

Northeastern University ($63,781) California State University-San Marcos ($57,682) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($57,538) MCPHS University ($51,942) University of Colorado Boulder ($50,474) California State University-Los Angeles ($50,428) University of Massachusetts-Boston ($50,352) University of Missouri-St Louis ($49,509)

Other Majors at Western Washington University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($80,808) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,516) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($72,675) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($68,219) Manufacturing Engineering ($65,863) Management Information Systems and Services ($61,668) Polymer/Plastics Engineering ($60,375) Accounting and Related Services ($60,048)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biochemistry at Western Washington University?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biochemistry. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biochemistry careers?
With 45% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $501,288 in decade earnings vs $544,595 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →