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Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology at California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $57,682/yr (52% vs median)

AI Risk High (45% exposed)

Job Market Large (45,200 openings/yr)

ROI 18.8x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #15 of 136 Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$590K	$582K	$533K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.1x	18.8x	17.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.5x	7.4x	6.8x
Probability of Field Employment	58%	53%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	54	51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$30,956

Out-of-state: $78,476 (7.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$42,200

-36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,983

4.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

California State University-San Marcos Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology graduates command $57,682/yr out of the gate, well above the $37,918 national median. That 52% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 18.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 45% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,983 in median debt clears quickly against $57,682 in annual earnings.

Ranked #15 out of 136 programs, California State University-San Marcos's Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

About California State University-San Marcos

A 96% acceptance rate means California State University-San Marcos is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 14,174 in San Marcos, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 44% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-San Marcos →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-San Marcos's Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology program score?

This program scores 54/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology graduates.

How vulnerable is Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology 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 California State University-San Marcos rank so high for Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology?

The #15 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →