Along with chemistry and physics, biology is one of those sciences that serves as the foundation for all we know about natural science.
Students who earn a degree in biology have the potential to start a broad and exciting range of careers.
Graduate students in biology work as government researchers, educators, healthcare providers, and more.
The life sciences are the main emphasis of graduate biology programs, which frequently provide specializations in cellular and molecular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, and general biology.
Graduate students might concentrate their master’s degree in a particular specialty within the broad field of biology.
Many programs on our list feature research opportunities in biochemistry, physiology, genetics, biotechnology, and more.
With a strong scientific background, biology graduate students are prepared to launch rewarding careers or pursue a research-focused doctoral or professional medical degree.
The best biology universities provide their students with fantastic lab work and research opportunities. Most top-ranked universities in biology are also engaged in groundbreaking research.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the US projects that the number of biological technicians will increase by 7% between 2020 and 2030.
This article contains a rundown of the top 20 best colleges with biology majors. These colleges offer different degree programs in biology and related field.
Table of contents
- What do Biology Majors Study?
- What is the Average Biology Primary Salary in the US?
- What are the Colleges with Biology Majors?
- #1. Harvard University
- #2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- #3. University of Pennsylvania
- #4. Stanford University
- #5. Dartmouth College
- #6. Cornell University
- #7. Brown University
- #8. Duke University
- #9. Tufts University
- #10. Columbia University in the City of New York
- #11. Williams College
- #12. University of California – Berkeley
- #13. Johns Hopkins University
- #14. University of California – Los Angeles
- #15. Bowdoin College
- #16. University of Chicago
- #17. Boston College
- #18. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- #19. University of Rochester
- #20. University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What do Biology Majors Study?
The sixth most common major is biology. It covers a broad spectrum of biological sciences and offers many prospective career choices. Biology majors can also offer careers in healthcare, wildlife management, research, education, public policy, and other fields.
Biologists research the science of life. This covers all fields of study, from health sciences to genetics and evolution. The focus of biologists can be on fungi, plants, or animals (including humans).
For biology majors, typical coursework includes:
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Biostatistics
- Botany
- Cellular Biology
- Ecology
- Evolution
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
By taking AP Biology in high school, you can start preparing for a career in biology (or simply exploring the possibility); this may also allow you to avoid Biology 101 in college and move straight into more challenging classes.
You can better prepare yourself to study biology in college by taking advanced mathematics courses like AP Statistics and Calculus.
Also, a working knowledge of chemistry is necessary for many colleges.
What is the Average Biology Primary Salary in the US?
In the United States, the average annual wage for a graduate with a biology major is $41,559, or $19.98 per hour.
You’ll make the most money working as a biology graduate in San Francisco, California, earning about $49,591 a year. In San Francisco, California, biology majors can expect an average of $23,000 per year in entry-level positions.
Worcester, MA; New York, NY; Washington, DC; Seattle, WA; Baltimore, MD; and Philadelphia, PA are more places where biology majors can find well-paying employment possibilities.
The top five states with the highest reported wages for graduates with a biology major are Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and California.
On the other hand, the states with the lowest reported salaries for biology include Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, and South Carolina.
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What are the Colleges with Biology Majors?
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of Pennsylvania
- Stanford University
- Dartmouth College
- Cornell University
- Brown University
- Duke University
- Tufts University
- Columbia University in the City of New York
- Williams College
- University of California – Berkeley
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of California – Los Angeles
- Bowdoin College
- University of Chicago
- Boston College
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- University of Rochester
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
#1. Harvard University
Students interested in general biology should consider Harvard University.
Havard University is among the list of colleges with biology majors.
Cambridge is a medium-sized city where Harvard University is a private, non-profit institution with a sizable student body.
Harvard is a fantastic university, coming in at #12 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide.
In the most recent data year, roughly 86 Harvard students received this degree in general biology.
#2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the best institutions in the country to earn a degree in general biology. It is also on the list of colleges with biology majors.
The medium-sized city of Cambridge is home to the somewhat sizable private, non-profit institution known as MIT.
According to Best Colleges, MIT is a top college, coming in as number one out of 2,241 institutions nationwide. The most recent data year showed that 64 MIT students biology received this degree.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates with a general biology degree earn around $43,650 more than biology majors on average.
#3. University of Pennsylvania
One of the best colleges with biology majors is the University of Pennsylvania.
A sizable private, non-profit institution called UPenn is situated in Philadelphia. UPenn is a top university, coming in at #4 out of 2,241 institutions countrywide in the Best Colleges ranking.
In the most recent year for which we have data, 158 general biology students at UPenn received this degree.
The University of Pennsylvania’s general biology curriculum graduates earns $11,449 more than the typical college graduate with the same degree immediately after graduation.
#4. Stanford University
Students interested in general biology should consider Stanford University.
Standford University is one of the top colleges with biology majors. Stanford is a private, non-profit university with a sizable student body that is situated in the Stanford suburb.
Stanford is a fantastic university, earning a Best Colleges ranking of #2 out of 2,241 institutions nationally.
In the most recent year for which we have data, around 114 Stanford students received this degree in general biology.
Students majoring in general biology who graduate from Stanford University make $8,388 more than the average biology alumnus.
#5. Dartmouth College
Hanover-based Dartmouth College is a private, non-profit institution with a sizable student body. In terms of overall quality, this college comes in first place among the other 17 institutions in New Hampshire.
In the most recent year for which we have data, about 87 Dartmouth students received this degree in general biology.
Students majoring in general biology who graduate from Dartmouth College make $8,436 more than the average biology alumnus.
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#6. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY-based Cornell University is a private, non-profit institution with a sizable student body.
According to Best Colleges, Cornell is a fantastic university, coming in at #13 out of 2,241 institutions nationwide.
Cornell awarded this degree to roughly 315 general biology students in the most recent data year.
The average salary for biology program graduates in their first year of employment is $29,066.
#7. Brown University
In Providence, a sizable private, non-profit university is called Brown University.
Brown University is a top-tier institution with a Best Colleges ranking of #11 out of 2,241 universities nationally.
In the most recent year for which we have data, around 118 general biology students at Brown received this degree.
Graduates with a biology degree often start their employment with an annual salary of $29,535 or less.
#8. Duke University
In the sizable city of Durham, a private, not-for-profit university is called Duke.
According to Best Colleges, Duke is a top-notch university, coming in at #3 out of 2,241 institutions countrywide.
In the most recent year for which we have data, roughly 224 Duke students received this degree biology.
Graduates of the biology program with a degree typically make roughly $20,600 in their first year of employment.
#9. Tufts University
Tufts is a private, non-profit institution with a sizable student body in the Medford region.
Out of 63 universities in Massachusetts, this university is ranked fourth for overall quality.
In the most recent year for which we have data, 281 general biology students at Tufts received this degree.
Tufts University’s general biology program graduates earn $8,897 more than the average graduate in this profession when they begin their careers.
#10. Columbia University in the City of New York
In the big city of New York, there is a private, not-for-profit university called Columbia.
Of 2,241 colleges nationally, Columbia is ranked #14 by Best Colleges, making it a top university overall.
In the most recent year for which we have data, roughly 110 Columbia students received this degree in general biology.
#11. Williams College
In the town of Williamstown, there is a small private, non-profit college called Williams.
In terms of overall quality, this college is in a third place out of 63 institutions in Massachusetts.
Williams awarded this degree to about 57 general biology students.
Williams College graduates with a general biology degree see an increase in earnings of about $12,695 over the average for biology majors.
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#12. University of California – Berkeley
The public institution UC Berkeley, situated in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, has a sizable student body.
UC Berkeley is a fantastic university, ranking 17 out of 2,241 institutions globally according to Best Colleges.
Around 248 general biology students at UC Berkeley received this degree in the most recent data year.
Graduates from the University of California – Berkeley’s general biology program earn $7,960 more than the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the job.
#13. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University is a private, non-profit institution with a sizable student body in Baltimore. It is a fantastic university, earning a Best Colleges ranking of #9 out of 2,241 institutions nationally.
Johns Hopkins awarded this degree to roughly 56 general biology students in the most current data year.
At Johns Hopkins University, students majoring in general biology earn $43,741 more than the average biology graduate.
#14. University of California – Los Angeles
The large public university UCLA is found in the sizable metropolis of Los Angeles. In terms of overall quality, this university is ranked sixth out of 170 institutions in California.
The most recent data shows that 532 UCLA students have earned degrees in general biology.
Students who complete the biology program report earning an average of $24,167 in their first year of employment.
#15. Bowdoin College
Bowdoin is a private, non-profit institution with a small student body in Brunswick town.
According to Best Colleges, Bowdoin is a top college, coming in at #20 out of 2,241 institutions nationwide.
Around 34 LooBowdoin general biology students received this degree in the most recent data year.
Students majoring biology who graduate from Bowdoin College earn $16,324 more than the typical biology graduate.
#16. University of Chicago
In the sizable city of Chicago, a private, not-for-profit institution called UChicago.
UChicago is a top university, ranking #7 out of 2,241 institutions nationwide in the Best Colleges ranking.
In the most recent year for which we have data, about 134 general biology students at UChicago received this degree.
The average pay for biology program graduates in their first year of employment is $24,335.
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#17. Boston College
Boston College is a private, non-profit university with a sizable student body in Chestnut Hill.
In terms of overall quality, this college is ranked sixth out of 63 institutions in Massachusetts.
In the most recent year for which we have data, Boston College awarded this degree to around 239 general biology students.
Boston College’s general biology program graduates earn $10,275 more than the typical college graduate with the same degree immediately after graduation.
#18. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is home to UNC Public University. Chapel Hill has a sizable student body.
In terms of overall quality, this university is ranked second out of 93 institutions in North Carolina.
The most recent data shows 614 general biology students at UNC Chapel Hill received degrees in that academic year.
In their first five years of employment, graduates of the biology program earn an average salary of $24,522.
#19. University of Rochester
Rochester is home to the sizable private, non-profit University of Rochester.
In terms of overall quality, this university ranks 7th out of 143 institutions in New York.
The University of Rochester awarded this degree to roughly 235 general biology students in the most current data year.
Students who complete the biology program report earning an average starting salary of $28,825 in their first year of employment.
#20. University of Wisconsin – Madison
UW – Madison is a relatively large public university located in Madison. This university ranks 1st out of 46 schools for overall quality in Wisconsin.
In the most recent data year, roughly 491 general biology students graduated with this degree at UW – Madison.
Those general biology students who get their degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison earn $2,579 more than the average biology grad.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For undergraduates who want to go to medical school or get a master’s in healthcare, biology is an excellent major. However, a bachelor’s degree in biology can lead to various job prospects because of the many majors offered. Hard Working pupils are suited for a degree in biology.
The demands of a biology degree may be too much for people who merely have a lukewarm interest in the topic because biology is a challenging field. However, it can be one of the most gratifying degrees accessible for people who start their studies with a strategy for how they want to use their education.
According to a study by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), graduates with a bachelor’s degree in biology make an average of 57,000 USD per year. In comparison, those with a master’s degree made 93,000 USD annually.
Conclusion
The biology curriculum may significantly affect the future you choose. We created our Best Schools for General Biology rankings for this reason. By adding up our degree-level orders and weighing them based on the number of degrees granted at each school, we arrived at our rankings for the Best Overall General Biology Schools.
