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Why Earn a Biology Degree?

A biology degree helps to prepare college students with the skills and knowledge necessary to operate as a scientist, particularly in the study of life.  Biology is known as one of the basic sciences.  It emphasizes the scientific study of life from the smallest living organisms to the largest.

Through an intensive cross-discipline studies, biology majors will learn about how living organisms operate.  Biology majors will enroll in academics in life science tracks to learn to analyze organisms through the lens of various biological organs and chemical reactions responsible for giving and maintaining life forms.

Degrees in biology begin as 2-year programs at the associate degree level and continue all the way up through the doctoral level. Independent research positions typically require an individual to have an advanced degree such as a PhD.  A curriculum in biology may include academic courses such as:

  • Calculus & Statistics
  • Morphology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Ecology
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • Genetics
  • Botany
  • Cell Biology
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physics

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$77,830

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

52.38%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

35,110

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Biology Degree

Harvard university located at Cambridge, Massachusetts is a private Ivy league that was established in 1636. The university offers various programs related to Biology. For over the years the university has been integrating different majors in life science. And, the biology program has been rapidly growing that combines with quantitative aspects of traditional learning. It provides quality education in broad education basic biomedical science fields and specialization of each major program. Furthermore, it will ensure the students' success as they will obtain the quality education, training, and skills they will develop after accomplishing the program in the prestigious university. 

Acceptance Rate

4.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Yale University located at New Haven, Connecticut was established in 1701. The university is considered to be the third oldest institution of higher education. Another, the university was one of the nine Colonial Colleges that chartered before the American Revolution. Moreover, the prestigious university has been offering a variety of programs in different areas of study. Including biological sciences that offers a major program in cell biology. Educators in the program strive to deliver a biomedical research and quality education to the students. They work hard to develop future leaders through mentorship and learning. Faculty members are very passionate and committed to train the next generation so they can reach success in different careers in academia, biotech, and pharmaceutical industry. 

Acceptance Rate

6.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Columbia University in the City of New York located at New York City is a private Ivy League research university that was established in 1754. The university was also considered to be one of the oldest institutions of higher education in New York. Also, it is the 5th oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It provides diverse and international support research and teaching to cure global issues and create advanced academic relationships with other countries and regions. The university offers outstanding programs for undergraduate, graduate and professional school. The Biology degree program at Columbia offers various major programs centered in life sciences. Furthermore, the university expects that all areas of study that the students are into will help them to acquire the knowledge and learning to tools necessary to experience vocational success. 

Acceptance Rate

5.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Brown University located at Providence, Rhode Island is a private league research university that was established in 1764. The university was founded as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island. It is also considered to be the 7th oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Another, the university’s faculty member, alumni and researcher consist of awarded of prestigious prizes such as Nobel Prize, Pulitzer, and National Humanities Medalists. Moreover, the prestigious university offers various programs in different areas of study for undergraduate, graduates, and professional schools and including a top rated major in Biology. Where, they offer flexible learning yet rigorous open curriculum for students. In their biology concentration, the students are trained to develop their practical skills and experimental design in life science also, in depth understanding in the science of life and living matter. 

Acceptance Rate

7.07

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

University of Pennsylvania located at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a private ivy league research university that was established in 1740. The university has been offering various programs in different areas of study for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. Including biology, where it provides Biology programs for minor, PhD, and in different concentrations. The program was designed to provide the student a sufficient learning and background of understanding the basic underlying topics in the fields. Furthermore, through the effective way of teaching the students will have the courage to pursue and achieve their dream goal and follow their passion. And, through an interdisciplinary approach the graduates will address the world’s most challenging problems. 

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology located at Cambridge, Massachusetts is a private land-grant research university that was established in 1861. The institute offers various programs in different areas of study for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. For their School of Science, The Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry join a curriculum that offers a Bachelor of Science and Biology where it is designed to provide an intersection between the two subjects. Along with that, the program prepares the students in case they will pursue careers in the medical field including pharmaceutical, medical technologies, and biotechnology industries. Furthermore, it enables the students skills and knowledge to develop providing them with a strong foundation for study research and clinical careers in any health or medicine professions. 

Acceptance Rate

6.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

University of Chicago located in Illinois is a private research university that was established in 1890. The university offers various programs for undergraduates, graduates, and professional schools in different areas of study. Moreover, the university provides quality education and practical training preparing and empowering the individuality of the students. For their biology major, it provides a knowledge of biology essential for understanding the various fields of life sciences. The goal of the program is to give students quality education and experimental support that they can pursue a variety of science-based careers after graduation. 

Acceptance Rate

6.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Stanford University located in Stanford, California is a private research university that was established in 1891. The university offers various programs in different areas of study for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. For their Biology degree options, the university offers 5 different concentrations where the program is designed to provide innovative training experiences for the next generation. Moreover, faculty members are passionate to guide students. The inclusive learning environment will prepare the students to become successful in their chosen field. 

Acceptance Rate

4.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Dartmouth College located in Hanover, New Hampshire is a private league research university that was established in 1769. The university provides a variety of programs in different areas of study. Moreover, the university's curriculum provides 40 academic departments and 57 majors in different specialization concentration. The Department of Biological Science is dedicated to assist and provide quality education for the next generation of biologists. They also offer a number of opportunities for undergraduate research. With these, graduates are surely on the top of the line in the job market. 

Acceptance Rate

7.93

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Duke University located in Durham, North Carolina is a private research university that was established in 1838. The institution has the largest private employer in North Carolina with more than 39,000 employees. Moreover, the university offers various programs for undergraduate, graduates, and professional study in different areas of study. The university’s department of Biology provides a wide range of learning different areas in Biology.  It offers numerous programs in Bachelor of Arts and Science with concentration in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and more. These undergraduate programs support the scholarly endeavors and train the students to have an impact and significance in the industry of biology and medical field of an array of careers. 

Acceptance Rate

7.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Bowdoin College located in Brunswick, Maine is a private liberal arts college that was established in 1794. It offers various programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. Further, the college system offers students an intense education, innovative faculties, and development of their social abilities while studying the course. Moreover, the Biology Department offers a concentration program designed to provide societal importance in biological knowledge. They allow the students to engage in courses where they can practice, mentored in and research opportunities given by the faculty and staff. 

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Amherst College located in Amherst, Massachusetts is a private liberal arts college that was established in 1821. It is considered to be the 3rd oldest institution of higher education in Massachusetts. Another, they are offering a variety of programs for different areas of study. Including biology where it was designed to provide courses related to career’s interest in biology for the students. Also it gives wide and thorough learning in introductory chemistry, physics and upper-level biology studies that will benefit the students learning development throughout the program. The biology degree program prepares the students well-being and individuality once they decide to pursue medical study, pharmaceutical, research or any medical field related. 

Acceptance Rate

11.31

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

California Institute of Technology located at Pasadena, California is a private research university that was established in 1891. The university has been always known for its strength in engineering and science. CalTech offers various programs in different areas of study for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. And it has 6 academic divisions that emphasizes its strong vision of learning in engineering and science. As a matter of fact, the prestigious institute has 76 Nobel laureates affiliated with Caltech and it includes 40 alumni and faculty members. The quality of education at CalTech is notable for its curriculum and collaboration with faculty. For their Biology program it provides innovative work and opportunities to the students. The integrated training sling with specialized instruction will stand-out the graduates after accomplishing the degree. 

Acceptance Rate

6.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

Pomona College located in Claremont, California is a private liberal arts school that was established in 1887. The system offers a comprehensive curriculum that has quality education. They offer 48 majors programs in arts, social sciences, humanities and natural science. Moreover, their biology major is designed to provide a specialization learning in their interest. Also, they provide extensive experience in designing experiments and testing the students' hypotheses which will carry out scientific investigation in the laboratory guided by expert research staff and mentors. 

Acceptance Rate

7.4

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Swarthmore College located at Swarthmore, Pennsylvania is a private liberal arts college that was established in 1864. It is said that the college was one  of the earliest coeducational colleges in the United States. Further, the college offers various programs in different areas of study. It has 600 courses and more than 40 areas of study with an ABET - Accredited in Engineering program. For their Biology degrees, the program is designed to provide the students learning about the function and evolution of a diverse biological system. Also, methods by which biologists can use in research and experimental studies. This program really prepares the student to pursue careers in research, medicine, and pharmaceutical industry. 

Acceptance Rate

8.93

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Cornell University located in Ithaca, New York is a private and statutory land-grant research university that was established in 1865. The university offers a variety of programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. Another, it is organized into 7 undergraduate colleges and another 7 graduate divisions. The university encourages the students to pursue their dream career in order to make changes on local or international scales. Furthermore, for their biology program, the program is designed to provide quality education about life science, evolution, and function. Where, with this program the student will be ready to pursue any medical, pharmaceutical, or research study. 

Acceptance Rate

10.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

William College located in Williamstown, Massachusetts is a private liberal arts college that was established in1793. The college was also considered to be the second-oldest institution of higher education in Massachusetts. WC offers various programs in different areas of study for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. Also, they provide lots of opportunities to pursue emerging fields, develop majors, and take part in experimental education. For their biology degree program, it is designed to provide extended learning about biology, biochemistry, physiology, neurobiology, and evolutionary biology. The program prepares the student to pursue medicine study or any related careers. 

Acceptance Rate

12.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Northwestern University located in Evanston, Illinois is a private research university that was established in 1851.  The university offers various programs in different areas of study in undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. For their biology, they are offering the Biological Science Major in undergraduate. All programs in the university are committed to excellent teaching and  making innovative research. They provide practical training and great opportunities for the students for its intellectual growth in a diverse academic community. 

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

University of Notre Dame located in Notre Dame, Indiana is a private research university that was established in 1842. The university offers various programs in different areas of study for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. Another, the university has been recognized as one of the top universities in the United States where it’s organized in 7 schools and colleges. For their Biology degree program, they are offering Biological Sciences, where it was designed to provide learning about research global health, life science, Evolutionary, Anatomy and more. This program is indeed a preparatory course for students who want to pursue careers in medicine, pharmaceutical or research.

Acceptance Rate

15.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Georgetown University located in Washington D.C is a private research university that was established in 1789. The university offers various programs for undergraduate, graduate and professional study in different areas of study. As a matter of fact, the university is the oldest catholic and Jesuit institution of higher education in the United States. For their biology program, it was designed to provide quality education in breadth subjects encompassed by biological science. Also, it provides a comprehensive perspective in all areas of life science and biology.  With an inclusion of research intensive senior experience and tutorial research students can have basic or medical experience that will benefit students. 

Acceptance Rate

14.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Rice University located in Houston, Texas is a private research university that was established in 1912. The university focused on undergraduate programs giving an emphasis in quality education. The university offers a high level of  research activities and learning to the students. For their biology program, the program  was designed to demonstrate broad knowledge about core concepts in biology with the use of critical thinking skills to evaluate biological research. Also, students will be more exposed in research activities and will be given lots of opportunities to showcase their skills and innovative ideas through research and experimental research.

Acceptance Rate

8.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Vanderbilt University located at Nashville, Tennessee is a private research university that was established in 1873. The university has been offering various programs in undergraduate degree, graduate degree, and interdisciplinary programs. It was designed to shape the students to become excellent in their chosen field. For the biology program, they are offering major and minors in biology. Where students can gain knowledge and skills about biology and more. Also, the department of biology and university provide numerous opportunities to further grow their interest in learning life sciences. 

Acceptance Rate

9.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Washington University in St. Louis located at Greater St. Louis, Missouri is a private research university that was established in 1853. The university was founded after the name of George Washington. The prestigious university consists of award winners such as 25 Nobel laureates in economics, medicine, chemistry, physiology, and physics that are affiliated with Washington university. Moreover, the university offers various programs for undergraduate degree programs, graduate degree programs, and professional schools. Another, Washington university is the perfect school where students can push their boundaries of what it means to acquire learning. For their biology program, the university offers 58-67units of the major and all of the learnings that the students need will be taught by the expert faculty member of Biology Department.

Acceptance Rate

13.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

John Hopkins University located Baltimore, Maryland is a private research university that was established in 1876. The university was known as the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the United States of America. The university offers different areas of study in various majors for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. Moreover, the university offers a degree in Biology, where the program is designed to provide thorough grounding education in modern biology, with an emphasis on molecular aspects. Also, the major program will always provide a formal lecture and laboratory courses that will teach the students professional skills and knowledge that can benefit them soon. This program offers a preparatory course to pursue medicine or any related career. 

Acceptance Rate

11.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Tufts University located at Medford and Somerville Massachusetts is a pirate research university that was established in 1852. The university offers various programs for undergraduate and graduate students in different areas of study. Including biology, where it is designed to provide research opportunities for the students. Also, the faculty members and research staff are very committed to provide the students the learning they need to be a successful next generation of biologist. Moreover, the Tufts Biology department encourages all the students to be inspired to pursue their education endeavors. 

Acceptance Rate

14.95

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Find the Best Biology Degrees

To successfully prepare for a fruitful career in biology, you will need to start pursuing a biology BS degree while you are in high school by taking all the required math, science, chemistry, and general biology degree courses.

Future biology students seeking specialized or general biology degrees will need to follow a series of best practices to logically progress from student to gainfully employed in a desired capacity after college. The steps outlining the path to finding the best biology degrees include:

Step 1 Research Colleges

The first step in your journey to earning your biology degree is to research top ranked colleges and universities that fit your professional goals and objectives. Our list in addition to the World University Rankings round out a comprehensive list of high-powered accredited university bachelor degree pathways.

To prudently research the best online biology degrees and top ranked colleges by state, you can leverage the information found on this resource page and our proprietary matching portal. Our affordable online biology degree search tools allow a student to quickly gather school-specific admissions information from an accredited university office along with important financial aid eligibility and net price calculations.

Following which, we recommend prospective general biology majors read The Complete Guide to the College Admissions Process and How to Reduce the Cost of College.

After spending the time to create your personal priority list and digesting our valuable college resources, simply request information from schools offering the best biology degree program for you. By learning more about colleges of interest, you can winnow your list down to a short list of top college programs that offer top degrees in biology.

Step 2 Apply to College

The next step in the process is to invest the time to apply to colleges offering an affordable campus-based or online biology degree program. Take the time to understand each schools curricular approach, expectations, biology department, net price, curriculum requirements, financial aid packages, and the best online college options for you.

Distance learning offered by online colleges have quickly become the fastest growing segment within higher education for many reasons. The best online colleges offer substantive benefits for students that earned a biology degree online or on campus may include the inherent: flexibility, cost savings, access, financial aid, accreditation, pace, degree options, and quality programming.

Step 3 Attend a National University Bachelor Program

Once you have gained admissions to the college or university of your choice, you will need to complete orientation and register for the university bachelor degree pathway. A BS, Bachelor of Science, degree in biology will typically take a student four years of full-time work to complete while part time students can expect a longer time to completion.

Alternatively, the best online colleges offering masters degrees take an additional 2-3 years beyond a biology bachelor program. Meanwhile, a PhD biology degree will take an additional five to six years of school which includes a dissertation project.

During your undergraduate work towards a biology degree, you will need to focus on building relevant, transferable skills while in school. Additionally, experts recommend you invest substantive time involved in valuable, relevant research projects to help provide exposure to current industry trends.

Step 4 Graduation, Work, Grow

After you graduate from an accredited college or university with your degree in biology, you will be eligible apply for jobs in a variety of related fields. Whether biology students elect to choose to enter the field as a microbiologist, biological scientist, or molecular biologist we highly recommend you focus on being a lifelong learner to grow in your field in perpetuity. Experts suggest a biology major attend workshops, conventions, taking college courses, and continuing education courses to help grow and advance in your desired field.

Employment & Popular Biology Jobs

A typical career in biology will require at least a bachelor's degree. Entry level positions will find biologists working in laboratory settings as assistants. Similarly, higher level positions require higher level degrees. The areas of study covered by a biology program are numerous and the more education often translates to a higher degree of specialization.

Many will enter microbiology, biochemistry, or biophysics related fields through study. Research positions will typically involve pursuing applicable technologies or medicines through biological science and research to assist in the curing of disease or produce medications. Environmental biologists will study the effects of encroachment or other factors on the environment, and how to reduce or reverse such effects.

The need for qualified biological scientists is expected to increase of the next decade as the demand for technological and medical breakthroughs rise due to the aging population and the interest in wildlife and environmental preservation increases. Career opportunities will be competitiveas the most talented and accomplished graduates will fill positions as they open.

Biological Sciences Salary

The average salary for a biologist is $74,960 per year, with researchers earning much higher salaries. Combining a specialized trade with a growing sector and above average pay appears to be a winning recipe for future success after successfully navigating qualifying higher education.

Of surveyed biologists, 32% currently hold a bachelor's degree in biology while 57% have a master's degree. The remaining biologists surveyed have a post-baccalaureate certificate in addition to a bachelor's degree in a related biology field.

Top Science & Research Careers in Biology

There are a wide range of career paths biology students can follow after they earned a degree from an accredited college or university. We have listed out a few common examples below to help you visualize the variations that exist in the field of biology. Career paths in biology can include tracks in:

Environmental Conservation & Management: Biologists passionate about the environment can pursue with a variety of organizations in a number of capacities. In fact, it is not uncommon for a biologist to become a marine biologist, park ranger, zoologist, or wildlife biologist.

Health Care: Biologists can work in the health care industry may be placed in charge of increasing public awareness of a contagion or researching how to eradicate a specific disease. Positions such as these will often require a graduate degree where additional research, knowledge, and skills will come to fruition within the nexus of health care.

Education: Biologists working in the education field may work for a college, high school, museum, conservatory, aquariums, park, nature center, or in the field collecting data.

Research Biology: Research biologists utilize the latest research methods and cutting-edge tools and techniques to gather relevant data about an area of research. Empirical data can be gathering in a lab or in the natural environment, albeit domestic or international locations.

Forensics: A biology major interested in human forensics could launch a career as a forensic biotechnician, medical examiner, forensic pathologist, crime scene investigator, forensic anthropologist, criminalist, crime lab analyst, forensic toxicologist, forensic scientist, forensic psychologist, forensic document examiner, forensic psychiatrist, or forensic computer examiner.

Journalism & Graphic Design: Jobs are required to correctly illustrate biology textbooks, websites, journals, and magazines. As a result, publishers and media outlets seek out biology majors to add credibility and depth to projects or departments within their organization.

Biotechnology: As a subset of biological science, biotechnologists extend learning in a field of work to improve existing products on the market within specialties such as agriculture, medicine, genetics, nanoparticles, cell biology, molecular biology, pharmacy, and food science.

Politics: Political biologists are called upon to consult with legislators and private industry for topics such as environmental protection, environmental law, and various related biology issues.

Math: Mathematical biology is a relatively new field of study built upon deep analytics and advanced computer models for use in complex research projects in field such as biotechnology, genetics, and cell biology.

Business & Economics: Biologists with a business concentration may pursue employment opportunities with small and large multinational corporations. As an example, employment with a pharmaceutical manufacturer to provide deep scientific insights to aid research initiatives and lend credibility to management, marketing, and public relations teams.

How Much Do Biology Degree Graduates Make?

The median annual salary for biology degree graduates will vary depending on your area of specialty, geographic location, job duties, hours worked, organization type, and work experience. Below we have gathered median annual income averages of associated careers in biology for the US to help you understand the income ranges by occupation type. For those studying abroad, the Milan Italy campus tends to be a popular choice for international students.

Biochemist: The annual median income for a biochemist is $82,180 with an 8% projected job growth rate expected over the coming decade with some 11,900 job openings projected.

College Biology Teacher: Median income for a post-secondary biology teacher is $76,650 with a 14% projected job growth projection equating to 21,800 new job openings over the coming decade according to the BLS.

Biological Scientist: Median annual salary for an environmental biology major or biological scientist is $74,790 a year with an expected steady employment projection over the coming decade per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Biological Technician: The annual median income as a biological technician or health communications specialists is currently $42,520 with an expected growth rate of 8% which translates to some 26,000 new job openings over the coming decade.

Biomedical Engineering: The medial annual salary for a biomedical engineer is $85,620 based on the latest data available. Jobs in biomedical engineering are expected to grow at a 14% clip over the coming decade resulting in 10,900 new job openings during that time.

Molecular & Cellular Biologist: Median annual income for a cellular and molecular biologist is $74,790 with a steady job growth projected over the coming ten-year period.

National University Bachelor Degree Resources

Students intrigued by the best online biology degrees offered may also consider campus based or online degrees in tracks such as:

For further information on a career path in biology, visit our Definitive Career Guide in Biology and Top College Degrees for Animal Lovers.

Top Resources for Biology Degree Graduates

Additional resources for a biology university bachelor degree-holders can be obtained from third parties such as a regional and national trade group, institute, or associations.  The top ranked national organizations offering insights and support for biology professionals include the following associations:

  1. AIBS - The American Institute of Biological Sciences
  2. APB - Association of Professional Biology
  3. NABT - The National Association of Biology Teachers
  4. SCB - Society for Conservation Biology
  5. HBA - Human Biology Association

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