by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Biology Studies involves the study of Biology/biological Sciences, General. A General Program Of Biology At The Introductory, Basic Level Or A Program In Biology Or The Biological Sciences That Is Undifferentiated As To Title Or Content. Includes Instruction In General Biology And Programs Covering A Variety Of Biological Specializations. Continue reading for the essential details every biology studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering biology studies programs.
Across the country, biology studies draws strong interest, with 89,827 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Biology Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 1,646 schools to determine the best overall colleges for biology studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biology studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Biology Studies emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations biology studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a biology studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a biology studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several biology studies 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 | 29 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 7,885 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 76,552 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,274 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,087 |
People currently working in careers related to biology studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 42.6% |
| Master’s degree | 13.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in biology studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in biology studies opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to biology studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biology studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Precision Agriculture Technicians | 167,331 | 6.9% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of biology studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,888 |
| 4 years | $49,148 |
| 5 years | $62,034 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for biology studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers biology studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Food Science Technicians | $100,898 |
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $97,541 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
With 1,646 different biology studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased biology studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering biology studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biomedical Sciences, General | 11,758 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
