Best Colleges for Biology 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings — real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Biology is the study of living organisms — their structure, function, genetics, evolution, and interactions with the environment. Undergraduate programs cover cell biology, genetics, ecology, physiology, biochemistry, and laboratory techniques including molecular biology methods such as PCR and gel electrophoresis. It is one of the most common pre-medicine and pre-health majors in the country, and also a gateway to careers in research, biotechnology, and environmental science.
Career outcomes vary significantly depending on the degree level pursued. Bachelor's graduates commonly work as research technicians, laboratory analysts, environmental scientists, and science educators, earning $40,000–$65,000. The highest-earning biology-related careers — physician, dentist, pharmacist, research scientist — require graduate or professional degrees. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries actively recruit biology graduates, with roles in quality control, regulatory affairs, and clinical research available at the bachelor's level.
Strong biology programs offer active research labs where undergraduates can participate in original research — a critical differentiator for students pursuing medical school, PhD programs, or competitive biotech positions. Look for programs affiliated with research universities or academic medical centers, which tend to provide broader lab access and clinical shadowing opportunities. Pre-health advising quality, MCAT preparation resources, and medical school acceptance rates are also meaningful signals of program quality. The earnings data on this page reflects bachelor's-level graduate outcomes from the College Scorecard.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
Top 20 Biology Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI | $95,564 | $32,300 | 80% | 2,289 |
| 2 | Ohio Dominican University Columbus, OH | $83,827 | $34,370 | 85% | 785 |
| 3 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ | $81,601 | $51,370 | 79% | 5,924 |
| 4 | Yeshiva University New York, NY | $77,314 | $49,900 | 64% | 2,942 |
| 5 | University of the Pacific Stockton, CA | $75,402 | $55,340 | 95% | 3,247 |
| 6 | Marist University Poughkeepsie, NY | $74,782 | $46,140 | 65% | 5,039 |
| 7 | Providence College Providence, RI | $74,656 | $60,848 | 49% | 4,170 |
| 8 | Northeastern University Boston, MA | $73,280 | $63,141 | 10% | 15,719 |
| 9 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MA | $73,280 | N/A | N/A | 1,674 |
| 10 | The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, MN | $72,626 | $40,454 | 94% | 1,725 |
| 11 | Siena College Loudonville, NY | $72,370 | $44,405 | 71% | 3,447 |
| 12 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA | $71,939 | $59,070 | 59% | 5,344 |
| 13 | Morehouse College Atlanta, GA | $71,611 | $31,725 | 51% | 2,736 |
| 14 | Villanova University Villanova, PA | $70,311 | $64,701 | 25% | 7,005 |
| 15 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NY | $70,124 | $15,332 | 54% | 16,642 |
| 16 | Salve Regina University Newport, RI | $70,070 | $47,930 | 70% | 2,102 |
| 17 | New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NY | $69,849 | $44,360 | 78% | 3,320 |
| 18 | University of La Verne La Verne, CA | $69,780 | $47,000 | 48% | 3,341 |
| 19 | Widener University Chester, PA | $68,495 | $53,638 | 84% | 2,765 |
| 20 | College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA | $67,624 | $60,850 | 21% | 3,015 |
Explore All Biology Programs
See earnings data for all 822 schools offering Biology, including debt figures and graduate counts.
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Compare SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a Biology program?
Undergraduate research opportunities are the single most important differentiator for biology programs. Working in a faculty research lab strengthens medical school and PhD applications substantially. Look for programs at research universities with modern lab facilities, strong pre-health advising, clinical shadowing partnerships, and high medical school acceptance rates among applicants.
What careers can I pursue with a Biology degree?
Biology graduates work as research technicians, laboratory analysts, environmental scientists, medical and scientific writers, and science educators. With professional or graduate degrees, biology opens careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, PhD research, biotechnology, and science policy. The degree is one of the most common pre-medicine pathways.
How much do Biology graduates earn?
Bachelor's-level biology graduates earn a median of around $45,000–$60,000, with roles in biotech and pharmaceutical companies on the higher end. Physicians and dentists with biology backgrounds earn $200,000–$350,000 after residency. The earnings data on this page reflects actual bachelor's-level graduate outcomes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.