by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 595 U.S. colleges awarded 10,285 degrees and certificates in Biochemistry. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 92% of graduates. College Factual ranks 237 schools in its 2027 Best Biochemistry Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $39,854 one year after completing, rising to $68,946 after four years.
Studying Biochemistry covers Biochemistry. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Chemistry Of Living Systems, Their Fundamental Chemical Substances And Reactions, And Their Chemical Pathways And Information Transfer Systems, With Particular Reference To Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, And Nucleic Acids. Includes Instruction In Bio-Organic Chemistry, Protein Chemistry, Bioanalytical Chemistry, Bioseparations, Regulatory Biochemistry, Enzymology, Hormonal Chemistry, Calorimetry, And Research Methods And Equipment Operation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, biochemistry is a popular field of study, with 10,285 degrees awarded annually. 595 colleges award biochemistry degrees, an average of 17 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 299.
By level, the 10,285 awards include 28 associate degrees, 9,471 bachelor’s degrees, 317 master’s degrees and 469 doctorates.
Women earned 59% of biochemistry degrees and certificates in the latest year (6,039 of 10,285). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,059) and Asian (1,747), and international students earned 718.
College Factual ranks 237 schools in its 2027 Best Biochemistry Schools ranking, including 226 for bachelor’s degrees, 14 for master’s degrees and 27 for doctorates. It also ranks biochemistry schools within 43 states. In all, 595 colleges offer biochemistry programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Biochemistry Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common biochemistry credential is the bachelor’s degree: 9,471 of the 10,285 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to biochemistry call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Biology and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
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How long a biochemistry degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 28 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 9,471 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 317 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 469 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to biochemistry, at 36.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.8% |
| Master’s degree | 14.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 13.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.8% |
| Some college courses | 4.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to Biochemistry, with an average median salary of $110,534; the strongest outlook belongs to Biological Technicians, at 12.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Research Coordinator, Clinical Trials Manager, Clinical Project Manager and Clinical Research Monitor.
The occupation related to biochemistry with the most projected jobs is Clinical Research Coordinators, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Food Science Technicians | 135,157 | 7.3% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | 95,666 | 3.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Biochemistry graduates earn a median $39,854 one year after completing their program, $68,946 after four years and $71,448 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,854 |
| 4 years | $68,946 |
| 5 years | $71,448 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to biochemistry is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $107,979 |
| Food Science Technicians | $100,898 |
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
Biochemistry has 8 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 4,444 degrees a year; the largest are Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1,633), Molecular Biology (1,409) and Molecular Biochemistry (514). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 1,633 |
| Molecular Biology | 1,409 |
| Molecular Biochemistry | 514 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other | 336 |
| Biophysics | 303 |
| Molecular Biophysics | 207 |
| Radiation Biology/Radiobiology | 25 |
| Structural Biology | 17 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
