Only 39 colleges in the country offer Human Biology, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $64,732.
Human Biology is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduates typically earn around $64,732 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 39 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 2,016 students complete this program each year, most earning 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?
Human Biology graduates earn $64,732 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,154 and $98,218. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $31,689 climbs to $64,732 by year four.
$31,689
1 Year After Graduation
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
There is a wide earnings spread across Human Biology graduates. 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?
Human Biology connects to 3 occupations in the job market. Natural Sciences Managers leads at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card 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
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Human Biology students they graduate 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 one of 39 specializations within Interdisciplinary Studies. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
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.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +7.3% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
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?
Human Biology graduates earn a national median of $64,732 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,154 and $98,218. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Human Biology degree?
One year after graduation, Human Biology degree holders earn a median of $31,689. That climbs to $64,732 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Human Biology degree?
Human Biology degree holders pursue careers including Natural Sciences Managers, which pays a median of $167,220/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Human Biology program take?
A Human Biology bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Human Biology?
39 colleges and universities in the United States offer Human Biology programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Human Biology degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $64,732 and an average net price of roughly $19,366/yr, a Human Biology degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Human Biology and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Human Biology is a focused concentration within the broader Interdisciplinary Studies field. The Interdisciplinary Studies major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Human Biology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Human Biology graduates?
Employers hiring Human Biology graduates consistently prioritize 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.
Is graduate school worth it for Human Biology graduates?
With a median salary of $64,732, graduate study in Human Biology can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Human Biology graduates?
The job outlook for Human Biology graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +4.9% job growth over the next 10 years. Biological Science Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +7.3%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
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.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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