by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Biopsychology involves the study of Biopsychology. A Program That Focuses On Biological And Psychological Linkages, Especially The Linkages Between Biochemical And Biophysical Activity And The Functioning Of The Central Nervous System. Continue reading for the key facts every biopsychology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering biopsychology programs.
Across the country, biopsychology is a popular field of study, with 194 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Biopsychology Schools ranking analyzes these 21 schools to determine the best overall colleges for biopsychology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biopsychology programs later in this article.
Programs in Biopsychology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations biopsychology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a biopsychology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a biopsychology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several biopsychology 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 | 194 |
People currently working in careers related to biopsychology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 28.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 19.9% |
| Master’s degree | 14.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.4% |
| Some college courses | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in biopsychology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in biopsychology opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to biopsychology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biopsychology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 513,614 | -3.0% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of biopsychology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,343 |
| 4 years | $45,640 |
| 5 years | $59,131 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for biopsychology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers biopsychology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,479 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 21 different biopsychology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased biopsychology school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
