by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you would like to combine a passion for the environment and natural resources with your skill in the biological field, consider majoring in Biological Engineering.
Biological Engineering students take classes in biology, chemical engineering, civil engineering, applied mathematics, bioelectronics, and physics along with classes in agriculture, earth science, and forestry to learn how to use engineering to solve biological issues. Graduates will be equipped with the skills to improve natural resource use, increase environmental production during manufacturing processes, and develop enhanced food production systems.
A degree in Biological Engineering involves the study of Biological/biosystems Engineering. Continue reading for the key facts every biological engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering biological engineering programs.
Nationwide, biological engineering is a popular field of study, with 482 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Biological Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 24 schools to determine the best overall colleges for biological engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biological engineering programs later in this article.
Studies in Biological Engineering emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations biological engineering graduates commonly enter.
Students who wish to pursue a career in Biological Engineering should have a strong background in math and science. Professionals must apply these principles daily. Students should also have strong critical thinking and problem solving skills to develop unique and successful solutions to given problems. Strong communication skills and the ability to work in teams will help professionals accomplish more tasks efficiently and effectively.
Biological engineers often work full time with occasional overtime hours. Although most work is done from an office or laboratory, professionals must perform field visits to make observations and draw up plans for tackling problems with depleting natural resources, environmental pollution, or agricultural damage.
In order to gain valuable experience and stand out to employers when entering the job market, students should find internships or summer jobs. This will allow them to get hands-on experience both in the field and working with computer systems that aid professionals in problem solving. Students should also look into cooperative engineering programs provided by some colleges and universities that allow students to gain college credit while working in their desired field.
Most entry-level positions require a bachelor's degree, but for those who wish to perform research, teach, or pursue a higher paying job, a master's degree is required.
The skill set built by a biological engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a biological engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several biological engineering 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 | 352 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 92 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 38 |
People currently working in careers related to biological engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 30.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 29.8% |
| Master’s degree | 12.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.1% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in biological engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Biological Engineering graduates have the ability to pursue a job in a variety of industries. Some decide to go into agriculture and work with farms or food production companies, while others work with government organizations protecting natural resources and the environment. This degree equips graduates with a wide range of knowledge on how biology interacts with engineering, allowing for numerous career options.
Studying biological engineering prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to biological engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biological engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of biological engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $58,212 |
| 4 years | $63,711 |
| 5 years | $75,025 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for biological engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers biological engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $121,651 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
With 24 different biological engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased biological engineering school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in biological engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering | 482 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
