HUMANITIES Specialization

Biopsychology

Biopsychology graduates earn $57,825 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 12.6%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Medical Scientists is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Biopsychology

This page covers Biopsychology 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 Interdisciplinary Studies and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Biopsychology is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $57,825 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 28 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 208 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$43,343
Median Earnings · 4yr
$57,825
Colleges Offering
28
Graduates / Year
208
Avg Net Price / yr
$24,879

How Much Do Biopsychology Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Biopsychology, a typical graduate earns $57,825, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $40,093 and $82,519, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$43,343
1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$57,825
4-Year National Median

Near the national median for college graduates.

$58,057
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

Not every Biopsychology graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.


A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $57,825 and an estimated $99,516 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.6 years.

Based on outcomes from 28 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 208 students who complete Biopsychology programs each year, the majority (100%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 100%

What Can You Do With a Biopsychology Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Biopsychology graduates show up in 4 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.

The best-paid of these is what Natural Sciences Managers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +8.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$167,220
$119K $222K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 9,200 openings/yr 109K employed nationally
Science Reading Comprehension Active Listening Reading Comprehension Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

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.
↗ +12.6% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$103,410
$80K $139K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 10,500 openings/yr 172K employed nationally
Writing Active Learning Science Speaking Judgment 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.
↗ +7.3% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$84,620
$64K $127K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 4,700 openings/yr 50K employed nationally
Speaking Learning Strategies Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as molecular biology, marine biology, and botany.
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
↗ +4.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$80,340
$63K $106K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 3,700 openings/yr 42K employed nationally
Learning Strategies Speaking Reading Comprehension Instructing Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as abnormal psychology, cognitive processes, and work motivation.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.

Top Colleges for Biopsychology

Not sure where to study Biopsychology? These 19 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 score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Tufts University, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Tufts University Medford, MA · Nonprofit 64 11.5% $39,998 $83,214
2 Simmons University Boston, MA · Nonprofit 28 70% $25,265 $63,494
3 McKendree University Lebanon, IL · Nonprofit 21 71.7% $24,717 $58,572
4 Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN · Nonprofit 10 82% $23,873 $58,829
5 Wagner College Staten Island, NY · Nonprofit 9 88% $28,241 $74,360
6 Oglethorpe University Atlanta, GA · Nonprofit 8 88.5% $19,509 $55,232
7 Monmouth College Monmouth, IL · Nonprofit 8 90.9% $17,133 $51,110
8 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit 7 99% $29,357 $44,813
9 Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit 6 81% $28,928 $77,449
10 Morningside University Sioux City, IA · Nonprofit 6 71% $31,320 $55,494
11 Ripon College Ripon, WI · Nonprofit 6 79.8% $20,216 $54,902
12 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit 5 11.7% $31,944 $114,862
13 Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA · Nonprofit 5 79% $26,502 $54,064
14 Ohio Dominican University Columbus, OH · Nonprofit 5 94.2% $20,079 $51,748
15 Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ · Nonprofit 4 78.6% $24,792 $62,208
16 Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro San Juan, PR · Nonprofit 4 69.7% $9,788 $30,821
17 Averett University Danville, VA · Nonprofit 3 56.6% $22,925 $51,516
18 Life University Marietta, GA · Nonprofit 3 93% $29,791 $47,397
19 Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City, NC · Nonprofit 1 62.2% $18,328 $38,342

Ranked by Biopsychology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 Biopsychology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Biopsychology Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Biopsychology shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS
  • Above-average earnings Four-year median of $57,825 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $43,343 at graduation to $57,825 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +12.6% over the next decade, with Medical Scientists among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 28,100 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Advanced degree often expected Top 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.
  • Limited program availability Only 28 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.

Biopsychology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Biopsychology graduates earn?
$57,825 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $40,093 and $82,519, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Biopsychology degree?
$43,343 in the first year out. That grows to $57,825 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 Biopsychology 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 Biopsychology program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Biopsychology 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 Biopsychology?
28 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 Biopsychology degree worth it?
$57,825 median earnings four years out against $24,879 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 is the difference between Biopsychology and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Biopsychology is the narrower of the two: Interdisciplinary Studies covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Biopsychology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Biopsychology graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Biopsychology graduates consistently look for writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
What is the job outlook for Biopsychology graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +8.0% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Medical Scientists are among the strongest-growth roles at +12.6%. 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.

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