Human Biology graduates earn $64,732 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.2%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Natural Sciences Managers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Human 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 Interdisciplinary Studies and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Human Biology is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $64,732 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 39 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 2,016 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
$31,689
Median Earnings · 4yr
$64,732
Colleges Offering
39
Graduates / Year
2,016
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,366
How Much Do Human Biology Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Human Biology, a typical graduate earns $64,732, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $42,154 and $98,218, 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 $31,689 at one year out to $64,732 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$64,732
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$69,751
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Human Biology 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.
$42,15425th pct.
$64,732Median
$98,21875th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $64,732 and an estimated $77,464 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.2 years.
Based on outcomes from 35 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 2,016 students who complete Human Biology programs each year, the majority (93%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
93%
Bachelor's93%
Associate's5%
Master's2%
What Can You Do With a Human Biology Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Human Biology graduates show up in 3 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.
Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.
Collect information and make judgments through observation, interviews, and review of documents.
Teach or mentor undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology or archeology.
Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences.
Top Colleges for Human Biology
Not sure where to study Human 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 Human Biology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Human Biology is not the only path through Interdisciplinary Studies: 38 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 Human Biology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Human Biology 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 earningsFour-year median of $64,732 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $31,689 at graduation to $64,732 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.2% over the next decade, with Natural Sciences Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 14,700 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
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.
Limited program availabilityOnly 39 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Human Biology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Human Biology graduates earn?
$64,732 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $42,154 and $98,218, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Human Biology degree?
$31,689 in the first year out. That grows to $64,732 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 Human 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 Human Biology program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Human 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 Human Biology?
39 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 Human Biology degree worth it?
$64,732 median earnings four years out against $19,366 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 Human Biology and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Human Biology is the narrower of the two: Interdisciplinary Studies covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Human Biology-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 Human Biology graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Human Biology 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.
Is graduate school worth it for Human Biology graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $64,732, graduate study in Human Biology tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. 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 Human Biology graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +7.2% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Natural Sciences Managers are among the strongest-growth roles at +8.2%. 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 Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Other programs in Interdisciplinary Studies. 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.
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