Biology graduates earn $57,214 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 13.3%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Forensic Science Technicians is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Biology as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Biology and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Biology is a specialized field of study. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $57,214 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 1,774 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 103,883 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$32,422
Median Earnings · 4yr
$57,214
Colleges Offering
1,774
Graduates / Year
103,883
Avg Net Price / yr
$15,377
How Much Do Biology Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Biology, a typical graduate earns $57,214, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $38,929 and $79,199, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $32,422 at one year out to $57,214 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$57,214
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$57,540
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Biology graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.
$38,92925th pct.
$57,214Median
$79,19975th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $57,214 and an estimated $61,508 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.3 years.
Based on outcomes from 1,383 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 103,883 students who complete Biology programs each year, the majority (83%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
83%
Bachelor's83%
Master's8%
Associate's7%
What Can You Do With a Biology Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Biology graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Natural Sciences Managers pay the most at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
Doctoral or professional degree10,500 openings/yr172K employed nationally
WritingActive LearningScienceSpeakingJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.
Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.
Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
Top Colleges for Biology
Not sure where to study Biology? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Biology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Biology Programs
Biology is not the only path through Biology: 14 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Biology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Biology shows 4 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $57,214 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $32,422 at graduation to $57,214 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +13.3% over the next decade, with Forensic Science Technicians among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 105,900 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Highly competitive market103,883 students graduate from this program every year, one of the higher volumes nationally. Entry-level competition can be stiff.
Biology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Biology graduates earn?
$57,214 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $38,929 and $79,199, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Biology degree?
$32,422 in the first year out. That grows to $57,214 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Biology degree?
Natural Sciences Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $167,220 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Biology program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Biology bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Biology?
1,774 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Biology degree worth it?
$57,214 median earnings four years out against $15,377 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What skills do employers look for in Biology graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Biology graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Biology graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Biology graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +7.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Forensic Science Technicians are among the strongest-growth roles at +13.3%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Biology Programs
Other programs in Biology. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
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A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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