Bachelor's · San Luis Obispo, California

Is Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back in time: graduates typically recover the cost in about 3.6 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
$60,274
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$83,886
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
Not enough borrowers to report
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$80k (likely $80k – $107k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$44k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in CA
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
3.6 years (likely 2.7–4.9)
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
$134k (likely $3k – $276k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
$658k (likely $373k – $975k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
87%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at other schools

🌱 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward animals, plants & the planet majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP Biology
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Statistics

IB Higher Level

  • Biology HL
  • Environmental Systems and Societies

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.