by our College Data Analytics TeamBiotechnology is a mix between biology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and engineering. This fun and interesting major allows you to "tinker" with living organisms (in a good way, not a mad scientist kind of way). You'll be able to use what you've learned from your classes to create better and more advanced products like growth hormones, vaccines, and medicines.
Some of the classes you will take include: biochemistry, biology, cell biology, evolution, botany, genetics, immunology, zoology, virology, organic chemistry, microbiology, entomology, human heredity, and plant pathology. This mix of diverse classes will teach you how to analyze everything from a human heart to a blade of grass. This major is relatively new and constantly changing in order to keep up with technological advancements. You will learn how to exploit and alter genes and genetic processes. This major is made for the curious student who wants to know the makeup of every living thing.
A major in Biotechnology explores Biotechnology. Read on to learn the important information every biotechnology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering biotechnology programs.
In the U.S., biotechnology draws strong interest, with 3,869 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Biotechnology Schools ranking analyzes these 178 schools to determine the best overall colleges for biotechnology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biotechnology programs later in this article.
Studies in Biotechnology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations biotechnology graduates commonly enter.
Curiosity is the most important personality trait you should have. A desire to know and understand the way living things grow, adapt and survive will help you tremendously in this major. You will be taking classes in a broad variety of disciplines. Attending lectures will teach you theories that you will be able to practice in the lab, and then apply to real-life scenarios in your future career. Be prepared to spend a great deal of time in the lab performing research, doing experiments and recording your findings.
A love for technology will also help you succeed. You will be confronted with new technology constantly in this major, as well as your future career. Constant learning and adaptation will allow you to keep up with the changes.
Although this major requires independent thought and research, you will also be taught to work with others through group projects. Work on your communication skills in order to collaborate with lab partners and peers. You may also have the opportunity to work with a professor or advisor to complete an independent research project. Learn to communicate professionally and clearly both orally and in writing.
Skills developed in a biotechnology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a biotechnology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several biotechnology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 40 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 138 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,002 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,666 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 23 |
People currently working in careers related to biotechnology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 20.0% |
| Master’s degree | 17.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.9% |
| Some college courses | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in biotechnology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
This cutting edge major will prepare you for a variety of career fields. Many students go into graduate studies in scientific or medical fields. However, Biotechnology majors can also easily find work as a researcher for an environmental, medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural or genetic industry.
Graduates also find work as biologists, ecologists, environmental scientists, pharmaceutical sales representatives or marketing specialists, quality control analysts and crime lab technicians. This major is very broad allowing you to work in the area that interests you the most.
A degree in biotechnology prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to biotechnology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biotechnology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | 23,620 | 9.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of biotechnology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $70,910 |
| 4 years | $79,108 |
| 5 years | $94,080 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for biotechnology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers biotechnology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
| Geneticists | $48,526 |
With 178 different biotechnology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased biotechnology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in biotechnology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biotechnology | 3,869 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biology, General | 101,585 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 13,820 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 12,819 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 11,175 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 9,295 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 6,355 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | 4,711 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 4,612 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | 3,638 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 3,408 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
