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Biology
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Biology
Wondering whether Biology is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what Natural Sciences Managers earn and how the role is projected to grow.
The gateway to pre-med, research, and biotech careers. Biology covers cells, organisms, genetics, and ecosystems, with strong graduate school pathways. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $57,214, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 1,895 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 180,784 students complete a degree in this area every year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $32,909
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $57,214
- Colleges Offering
- 1,895
- Graduates / Year
- 180,784
- Specializations
- 14
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $17,154
Is a Biology Degree Right for You?
$57,214
Median earnings · 4yr
+8.2%
10yr job growth
14
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~2.5
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Solid ROI. Median earnings of $57,214 after 4 years. Against an estimated $68,616 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.5 years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Biology Majors Earn?
Pay for Biology graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $32,909 one year after graduation, rising to $57,214 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, across all 1,895 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$32,909
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$57,214
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$58,621
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Biology specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $86,713/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $44,055/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$44,055
Lowest
$57,214
Median
$86,713
Highest
What Can You Do With a Biology Degree?
Career Paths for Biology Graduates
Studying Biology does not lock you into one job title. It opens 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Natural Sciences Managers pays the most among them at a median $167,220 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.
Another common path leads to what a Computer & Information Research Scientist typically earns and how the field is trending.
Natural Sciences Managers
Bachelor's degree
$167,220
↗ +8.2% growth
Computer & Information Research Scientist
Master's degree
$140,300
↗ +21.8% growth
Biochemist & Biophysicist
Doctoral or professional degree
$127,410
↗ +12.3% growth
Medical & Health Services Manager
Bachelor's degree
$123,860
↗ +24.2% growth
Data Scientist
Bachelor's degree
$120,230
↗ +34.6% growth
Health Specialties Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$107,310
↗ +17.9% growth
Statisticians
Master's degree
$105,650
↗ +11.0% growth
Medical Scientists
Doctoral or professional degree
$103,410
↗ +12.6% growth
Biology Specializations
Which specialization you pick inside Biology matters more than usual here. Biology breaks into 15 specializations, and four-year earnings swing from $44,055 to $86,713 depending on which one you choose. Each row below links to a full program profile, sorted highest-paying first. Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for a Biomathematics program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Biology
These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Biology, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for University of Florida.
1
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public
Acceptance
24.2%
Net price/yr
$6,541
Earnings 10yr
$71,588
Grad rate
83%
2
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
Acceptance
26.7%
Net price/yr
$12,470
Earnings 10yr
$84,943
Grad rate
86%
3
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public
Acceptance
41.8%
Net price/yr
$14,741
Earnings 10yr
$80,838
Grad rate
81%
4
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Acceptance
9%
Net price/yr
$12,548
Earnings 10yr
$82,511
Grad rate
82%
5
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit
Acceptance
6.4%
Net price/yr
$18,809
Earnings 10yr
$87,555
Grad rate
87%
6
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
Acceptance
57.4%
Net price/yr
$21,315
Earnings 10yr
$72,097
Grad rate
80%
7
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL · Public
Acceptance
43.2%
Net price/yr
$9,812
Earnings 10yr
$57,743
Grad rate
68%
8
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
Acceptance
45.2%
Net price/yr
$17,354
Earnings 10yr
$73,792
Grad rate
75%
9
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public
Acceptance
84.8%
Net price/yr
$19,680
Earnings 10yr
$67,253
Grad rate
79%
10
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, AZ · Public
Acceptance
89.9%
Net price/yr
$14,967
Earnings 10yr
$62,668
Grad rate
59%
11
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
Acceptance
15.6%
Net price/yr
$13,138
Earnings 10yr
$83,648
Grad rate
90%
12
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, OH · Public
Acceptance
60.6%
Net price/yr
$17,339
Earnings 10yr
$60,409
Grad rate
66%
13
Boston University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
11.1%
Net price/yr
$24,402
Earnings 10yr
$83,238
Grad rate
81%
14
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN · Public
Acceptance
79.8%
Net price/yr
$16,778
Earnings 10yr
$69,020
Grad rate
75%
15
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA · Public
Acceptance
76.4%
Net price/yr
$14,304
Earnings 10yr
$67,699
Grad rate
63%
16
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA · Public
Acceptance
39.2%
Net price/yr
$14,091
Earnings 10yr
$78,466
Grad rate
73%
17
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
Acceptance
26.6%
Net price/yr
$19,857
Earnings 10yr
$75,121
Grad rate
81%
18
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ · Public
Acceptance
58.2%
Net price/yr
$24,406
Earnings 10yr
$74,479
Grad rate
73%
19
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Acceptance
11%
Net price/yr
$13,481
Earnings 10yr
$92,446
Grad rate
74%
20
New York University
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
9.2%
Net price/yr
$37,050
Earnings 10yr
$82,509
Grad rate
76%
Ranked by number of Biology graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Biology Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Biology degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Biology degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Biology Degree: Pros & Cons
Biology is a mixed case: real strengths, offset by real trade-offs, and neither side is large enough to settle the decision on its own. All 5 points below are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, and IPEDS graduate counts, with no editorial opinion added.
PROS
- Above-average earnings Four-year median of $57,214 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science fields.
- Growing field Top career paths show up to +34.6% projected 10-year growth per BLS, including Data Scientist.
- Wide availability Offered at 1,895 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- High-earning specializations available Top specializations report median earnings of $86,713, creating strong upside for students who choose a high-demand track.
CONS
- Highly competitive job market Approximately 180,784 students graduate in this field each year, one of the highest volumes among all majors.
Biology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Biology graduates earn?
$57,214 a year four years after finishing the degree. That is the national median, so half of graduates earn more and half earn less, and specialization, institution, and region move the number a lot. Use the specializations table on this page to see which tracks pay above and below it. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Biology degree?
About $32,909 in the first year out, at the institutional level. That is an early number, not a ceiling, and it moves with employer, location, and which specialization within Biology you picked. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Biology degree?
More than one path, so the degree does not lock you into a single title. Natural Sciences Managers pays the most among related roles, at a median $167,220 a year nationally, but it is one option among several. See the Career Paths section on this page for the full list with employment levels and 10-year growth projections. Source: BLS.
How many colleges offer Biology?
1,895 colleges and universities in the United States, so location is rarely the limiting factor. Options run from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs, so the harder choice is which type of school fits, not whether one is nearby. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Biology degree worth it?
For most students, yes, though the margin depends on which specialization and school you pick. Median 4-year earnings run $57,214 against an average net price of roughly $17,154 a year across institutions that offer this major, and high-earning specializations widen that gap considerably. Compare your specific program before assuming the average applies to you.
How long does it take to earn a Biology degree?
Four years for most bachelor's programs in Biology, though clinical hours or extra prerequisites can stretch that for some specializations. Community colleges offer associate versions in two years, which is the faster route into entry-level roles.
What skills do employers look for in Biology graduates?
Employers hiring Biology graduates consistently prioritize clinical judgment, patient communication, evidence-based decision-making, and regulatory compliance. Licensure, certifications, or supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles.
Is graduate school worth it for Biology graduates?
In health fields, advanced degrees (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy, MD) typically unlock significantly higher salaries and expanded scope of practice, making graduate education a strong investment for most students. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly requires or rewards an advanced credential.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Biology graduates?
Outlook is strong: related occupations project an average of +17.8% growth over the next decade. Data Scientist leads the group at +34.6%. Demand still swings by specialization, employer sector, and region, so treat this as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Source: BLS.
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Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
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- Engineering
- Program earnings
- Applied degree
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-
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
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