by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Biology Education explores Biology Teacher Education. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Teach Biology Programs At Various Educational Levels. Read on to learn the essential details every biology education major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering biology education programs.
In the U.S., biology education draws strong interest, with 696 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Biology Education Schools ranking analyzes these 155 schools to determine the best overall colleges for biology education students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biology education programs later in this article.
Studies in Biology Education develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations biology education graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a biology education program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a biology education major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several biology education 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 338 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 357 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to biology education tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 47.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.1% |
| Master’s degree | 6.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 6.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in biology education careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in biology education opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to biology education.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biology education.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 692,039 | -1.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of biology education graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,919 |
| 4 years | $50,204 |
| 5 years | $56,331 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for biology education graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers biology education grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $83,105 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 155 different biology education programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased biology education school rankings to help you.
Students interested in biology education, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 6,964 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 5,986 |
| Music Teacher Education | 4,544 |
| English/Language Arts Teacher Education | 3,018 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 2,993 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other | 2,352 |
| Social Studies Teacher Education | 1,963 |
| Art Teacher Education | 1,860 |
| Health Teacher Education | 1,472 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education | 1,051 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
