Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree

Badge for BEST FOR BIOLOGY LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

The best biology liberal arts colleges are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best biology degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding biology faculty.

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges for Biology Degrees

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  1. Pomona College
  2. Swarthmore College
  3. Amherst College
  4. Wesleyan University
  5. Williams College
  6. Wellesley College
  7. United States Military Academy
  8. Bowdoin College
  9. Harvey Mudd College
  10. Colgate University
  1. Wesleyan University
  2. Amherst College
  3. United States Military Academy
  4. Oberlin College
  5. Williams College
  6. Swarthmore College
  7. Smith College
  8. Wellesley College
  9. Bryn Mawr College
  10. Vassar College
  1. Reed College 44%
  2. Bryn Mawr College 39%
  3. Kenyon College 37%
  4. Oberlin College 34%
  5. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 33%
  6. Smith College 30%
  7. Vassar College 20%
  8. Wesleyan University 19%
  9. Davidson College 18%
  10. Carleton College 18%
  1. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 21 to 1
  2. Colorado College 9 to 1
  3. Reed College 9 to 1
  4. Kenyon College 9 to 1
  5. Colgate University 9 to 1
  6. Davidson College 9 to 1
  7. Oberlin College 9 to 1
  8. Barnard College 9 to 1
  9. Bowdoin College 8 to 1
  10. Carleton College 8 to 1
  1. Kenyon College $63,310
  2. Vassar College $62,870
  3. Reed College $62,730
  4. Colorado College $62,070
  5. Wesleyan University $62,049
  6. Colgate University $61,966
  7. Haverford College $61,210
  8. Amherst College $61,150
  9. Wellesley College $60,752
  10. Harvey Mudd College $60,703
  1. Claremont McKenna College $64,288
  2. Vassar College $61,940
  3. Colgate University $61,594
  4. Wesleyan University $61,449
  5. Williams College $59,728
  6. Smith College $55,830
  7. Bryn Mawr College $48,328
  8. Colorado College $34,300
  9. Oberlin College $29,692
  10. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo $7,176
  1. United States Air Force Academy
  2. Bryn Mawr College
  3. Smith College
  4. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  5. Davidson College
  6. Carleton College
  7. Colorado College
  8. Barnard College
  9. Haverford College
  10. Vassar College
  1. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  2. Claremont McKenna College
  3. Davidson College
  4. Harvey Mudd College
  5. Colorado College
  6. Kenyon College
  7. United States Air Force Academy
  8. Carleton College
  9. Middlebury College
  10. Colgate University
  1. Pomona College 7%
  2. Swarthmore College 8%
  3. Amherst College 9%
  4. Williams College 9%
  5. Bowdoin College 9%
  6. Harvey Mudd College 10%
  7. Claremont McKenna College 11%
  8. Barnard College 11%
  9. United States Military Academy 11%
  10. United States Air Force Academy 12%
  1. United States Air Force Academy 6 to 1
  2. Pomona College 6 to 1
  3. Williams College 6 to 1
  4. Amherst College 7 to 1
  5. Swarthmore College 7 to 1
  6. Smith College 7 to 1
  7. Wellesley College 7 to 1
  8. United States Military Academy 7 to 1
  9. Bowdoin College 8 to 1
  10. Carleton College 8 to 1
  1. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo $5,742
  2. Davidson College $55,200
  3. Swarthmore College $56,056
  4. Smith College $56,114
  5. Bryn Mawr College $56,320
  6. Pomona College $56,686
  7. Claremont McKenna College $58,111
  8. Bowdoin College $58,322
  9. Williams College $59,660
  10. Barnard College $59,687
  1. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo $7,176
  2. Oberlin College $29,692
  3. Colorado College $34,300
  4. Bryn Mawr College $48,328
  5. Smith College $55,830
  6. Williams College $59,728
  7. Wesleyan University $61,449
  8. Colgate University $61,594
  9. Vassar College $61,940
  10. Claremont McKenna College $64,288

Key Takeaways

  • An undergraduate biology program at a small liberal arts college offers several advantages, such as personalized attention and better opportunities to enroll in a master’s degree at bigger universities.
  • Biology students should expect an easier admission process at liberal arts colleges. However, the biology department of a liberal arts college is not as competitive as those found in more prominent universities.
  • Biology encompasses a broad field of science. As a biology major, you’ll study different fields of biology, including marine biology, organismal biology, cellular and molecular biology, evolutionary biology, developmental biology, and general biology.

Featured Programs

Searching for Outstanding Colleges for Biology Majors

Biology is one of the most common majors for students planning to attend medical school in the future. Biology majors often become biochemists, biologists, physician assistants, research scientists, environmental scientists, botanists, and various other careers after graduation.

Most biology programs at small liberal arts institutions aim to teach students how to question what is still unknown in addition to studying what is already known in the discipline. They want students to “do” biology rather than merely learn it.

Benefits of Studying Biology in a Liberal Arts College

To be a great man of science, one must ask impertinent questions to have a pertinent answer. Liberal arts colleges do just that, encouraging students to ask difficult and sometimes impertinent questions.

Graduates of liberal arts colleges are twice as likely to earn a PhD than those at larger college and university graduates. Graduates of liberal arts colleges also have an impressive record in the nation’s scientific community.

There are three significant benefits of studying biology in liberal arts colleges:

Liberal arts colleges enable students to comprehend scientific issues and procedures.

The next generation of able scientists needs a background in biology, the social sciences, and the humanities. In doing so, they will be able to advance their field of study and understand when such advances are timely and in the broader interest of the world. Likewise, they’ll know how to manage the advances in science and political, legal, and economic systems to ensure that biology is employed for the common good.

Biology majors at liberal arts colleges complete a broad general education curriculum to help them see science in a larger context.

Liberal arts colleges develop students’ critical thinking skills for applying the sciences to real-world issues.

To become a great man of biology, one must be able to apply research to real-world problems. And doing so requires critical thinking that develops through a liberal arts education. It’s essential to have both scientific communication skills and critical thinking skills.

An integral part of critical and creative thinking is learning to ask the appropriate, probing questions. Equally important is having the courage to do so.

Liberal arts colleges provide students with personalized attention and a greater hands-on learning experience.

Aside from having small class sizes, liberal arts college professors see their job as a combination of teaching and scholarship. Faculty professors rather than graduate assistants are in charge of supervising laboratory courses.

Unlike larger research universities, liberal arts biology faculty members allow their undergraduate students to help with their research projects. Larger-scale universities only grant this opportunity to graduate students.

Additionally, professors at liberal arts colleges often help their students enroll in graduate school.

3-2 Programs

Liberal arts colleges may not have the same research facilities as Harvard University, California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Duke University, or Yale University, but these small colleges offer 3-2 programs. The Biology 3+2 program gives students a unique chance to earn their bachelor’s in a liberal arts college and master’s degrees in more prominent schools in just five years. These programs allow students to study their field with an additional humanities background while using facilities in larger universities.

A few of the best liberal arts colleges that offer 3-2 program in biology include:

  • Amherst College
  • Bowdoin College
  • Bucknell University
  • Carleton College
  • Davidson College
  • Harvey Mudd College
  • Smith College
  • Swarthmore College
  • Union College
  • Williams College

A bachelor’s degree in biology is an excellent starting point for a career in zoology, ecology, botany, and a host of other fascinating STEM fields. As a biology major, you’ll study the full spectrum of life sciences. Your biology degree may incorporate subjects such as evolutionary biology, biochemistry, and microbiology, as well as foundational courses in subjects like human anatomy and biodiversity. The best schools for biology are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of biology concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Degree popularity: Biology bachelor’s degrees are the 6th most popular undergraduate degrees across all student demographics. It’s slightly more popular among women, and ranks the 4th most popular degree among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics

Frequently Asked Questions About Biology Bachelor’s Degrees

Once you’ve declared you major in biology, the common requirements include:

  • General Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Biology and/or Biochemistry
  • Physics
  • Calculus
  • Statistics

Biology majors are also expected to engage in original research, working at on-campus laboratories or research facilities, as well as in the field. They will work closely with faculty, laboratory support staff, and teaching fellows as they explore areas of scientific interest. Most colleges include a senior capstone project based on original research, presented via poster, workshop, keynote, or other presentation.

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Biology is a good major for anyone interested in life, living things, and what makes them tick at the macro and micro levels. Whether you have an interest in human anatomy, cell biology, neuroscience, or animal physiology, a degree in biology can prepare you for work in fields as diverse as marine biology, neuroscience, medicine, and more.

Biology is a popular major because it can provide a pathway into countless fields and career opportunities. If you’re looking for a well-paying and secure job, a biology degree is a great place to start. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities in the life, physical, and social sciences will grow at a rate of 5 percent between now and 2029. This is faster than the average rate for all occupations. Likewise, the median annual wage for life, physical, and social science occupations was $68,160 in 2019, as compared to a median wage for all occupations of $39,810. Whether studying humans, animals, plants, insects, microscopic cells of bacteria, or even pondering the existence of life in space, a biology degree can provide you with the knowledge, skills, and credentials to work in a wide range of professional settings.

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Biology is a hard major for many because the language of science seems so unfamiliar. Biology is not as math intensive as other fields such as chemistry, but you will need to learn the basics of calculus and statistics. However, for students passionate about the study of biology and where they hope it leads them in their careers, successfully completing a major in biology is achievable.

Obviously, having a propensity in the hard sciences is helpful. This isn’t to say that you need special background knowledge. Just like any other college degree, a planned path to a major in biology should have you adequately prepared.

As a biology major, you will hone your research and observation skills, develop strategies for collection and evaluation of data, and acquire the language of science so you can effectively present your research.

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Once you’ve declared your major in biology, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in STEM-related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized biology electives, there are a number of common courses that most biology majors will be required to take, including:

  • Biostatistics
  • Biochemistry
  • Human Anatomy
  • Microbiology
  • Marine Biology
  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Plant Biology
  • Molecular Biology

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Biology Degree jobs include Medical Lab Technician, Forensic Science Technician, Zoologist, Environmental Scientist, and Chemist. Students often study biology as preparation for a professional program (pre-med, pre-veterinary, etc.) That doesn’t mean that you have to get an advanced degree to begin using your biology degree. A bachelor’s degree in biology can prepare you for many jobs in medicine, zoology, and chemistry. Here are some of the professions you could explore:

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If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in biology.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree

  1. #1

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Pomona College

    Cost of Degree: $59,238
    Expenses: $21,958
    Starting Salary: $44,086
    Salary after 4 years: $74,325
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Pomona College Biology

    Pomona College’s Biology Department offers students both a major and minor program in biology. The major program requires that students earn 32 course credits. The minor can be completed by taking 5 biology courses.

    Within Pomona College, students and faculty conduct research in numerous areas, including plant biology, cell and molecular biology, organismal biology, and environmental biology, among others. Students can take advantage of interdisciplinary programs as well, that combine elements of biology with other disciplines.

    Joint biology programs include programs in:

    • Public Policy Analysis — Biology
    • Environmental Analysis
    • Neuroscience
    • Molecular Biology
    • Medical Sciences
    • Plant Biology

    Students at Pomona College can also choose to study abroad, with numerous opportunities in different fields. Students could choose to study earth systems in New Zealand, comparative ecology and conservation in Ecuador, or marine and tropical biology in Australia. Other programs are offered to biology majors in countries including Israel, Spain, Mexico, France, Germany, and more.

    For those students choosing to remain at Pomona College, research facilities are located on campus to facilitate student and faculty research efforts. Some students may study at the Herman Garner Ecological Preserve and others may do research at the Richard S. Seaver Building, which houses the school’s greenhouses and other research and development laboratories.

    Class sizes at Pomona College are small, giving students personal attention and support throughout their studies. The culmination of the biology degree requires an original biological investigation, allowing students the chance to conduct scientific inquiry with the support of Pomona’s exceptional faculty and research staff.

    Source

  2. #2

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1467/32

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Swarthmore College

    Cost of Degree: $59,328
    Expenses: $20,686
    Starting Salary: $39,923
    Salary after 4 years: $67,306
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Swarthmore Biology Major

    Swarthmore College’s Biology Department promotes the learning of scientific methods, scientific communication skills, quantitative and qualitative research, and experiment design. Students work closely with faculty and staff as they acquire knowledge about biology and share the results of their work. In fact, students sharing their research with the campus community, as well as at the regional and national levels, is quite common.

    Advanced seminars in biology at Swarthmore College offer students a closer look at several biological disciplines, preparing them to take on more complex research problems. The school offers funds for field research both on and off campus. In addition, students can gain additional experience by applying to be an academic or laboratory teaching assistant. Academic assistants, also known as Science Associates, host study group meetings for first- and second-year students. Laboratory Teaching Assistants assist the professor during lab courses, acting as the eyes, ears, and hands of the teacher while class is in session.

    Students research at Swarthmore takes place on and off campus. On campus, the college is home to the Edward Martin Biological Laboratory, which has laboratories, a greenhouse, microscopy suite, dark room, herbarium, and much more. Other students may conduct research in the Scott Arboretum and Crum Woods, which provide field experiences for students studying environmental science.

    Swarthmore College offers a major and minor in Biology and also four interdisciplinary majors related to biology:

    • Biochemistry
    • Biology and Educational Studies
    • Environmental Science
    • Neuroscience

    Students in these programs can take advantage of summer research opportunities offered on and off campus every year.

    Source

  3. #3

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/33

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Amherst College

    Cost of Degree: $64,100
    Expenses: $19,550
    Starting Salary: $47,508
    Salary after 4 years: $80,094
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Amherst College Biology Major Pathways

    • Environmental
    • Neurobiology
    • Cancer
    • General
    • Infectious Disease

    Source

  4. #4

    Wesleyan University

    Middletown , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $64,022
    Expenses: $20,850
    Starting Salary: $36,159
    Salary after 4 years: $60,960
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Wesleyan Univeristy Biology Major

    • BA / MA in Biology
    • Developmental Biology
    • Ecology
    • Evolution
    • Genetics / Genomics / Bioinformatics
    • Neurology, Neurophysiology, and Behavior

    Source

  5. #5

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Williams College

    Cost of Degree: $61,770
    Expenses: $19,230
    Starting Salary: $51,215
    Salary after 4 years: $86,344
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Williams College Biology Major Concentrations

    • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major
    • Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Proteomics
    • Environmental Studies
    • Public Health
    • Medicine
    • Neuroscience Major
    • Maritime Studies

    Source

  6. #6

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    16%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Wellesley College

    Cost of Degree: $61,920
    Expenses: $21,130
    Starting Salary: $40,950
    Salary after 4 years: $69,037
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Wellesley College Biological Sciences Major

    The Biological Science major requires nine biology courses and at least two chemistry courses. The faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences maintain high standards for both teaching and research with several faculty members having been awarded The Pinanski Teaching prizes for teaching excellence. Faculty actively pursue extramural funding to support research programs that also train undergraduate students in the development of that research. Nearly all courses offered by the department include a laboratory or field-based component where students can design and perform their own experiments.

    The Department of Biological Sciences is committed to inclusive excellence and values the diversity of our students, faculty and staff. Anyone interested in life is welcome to join this vibrant and supportive community.

    Source

  7. Other Rankings

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1325/30

    USMA Life Science Major

    • Life Science
    • Pre-Med

    Source

  8. #8

    Bowdoin College

    Brunswick , ME
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Bowdoin College

    Cost of Degree: $61,528
    Expenses: $18,862
    Starting Salary: $47,508
    Salary after 4 years: $80,094
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Bowdoin College Biology Major Concentration

    • Integrative Biology
    • Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology
    • Molecular and Cellular Biology

    Source

  9. #9

    Harvey Mudd College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    10%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1530/34

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Harvey Mudd College

    Cost of Degree: $62,817
    Expenses: $22,079
    Starting Salary: $59,428
    Salary after 4 years: $100,190
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Harvey Mud College Biology Major

    • Mathematical and Computational Biology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Joint Major in Chemistry and Biology

    Source

  10. #10

    Colgate University

    Hamilton , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1385/31

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Colgate University

    Cost of Degree: $64,290
    Expenses: $19,360
    Starting Salary: $46,254
    Salary after 4 years: $77,979
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Colgate University Biology Major Concentrations

    • General Biology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Environmental Biology
    • Natural Sciences with concentration in Marine Science – Freshwater Science

    Source

  11. #11

    Oberlin College

    Oberlin , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    34%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1315/30

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Oberlin College

    Cost of Degree: $62,024
    Expenses: $22,206
    Starting Salary: $25,950
    Salary after 4 years: $43,749
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Oberlin College Biology Major

    In the Biology Department, students and faculty work together to explore new ideas and solve complex problems. The Biology curriculum ensures that all students develop a common set of core knowledge, skills, and competencies, while at the same time fostering personalized pathways through the major. The Oberlin College Science Center is a state-of-the-art building with classroom and instructional research facilities for up to 45 student researchers in biology, 30 in chemistry, and 15 in neuroscience. Biology students may collaborate with faculty on systems and organisms research that investigates bacteria, wasps, crayfish, nematodes, opossums, aquatic plants, and more. Field teams cooperate in observational, analytical, and experimental enquiries, investigating ecological and evolutionary processes in river, forest, desert, tropical, and urban ecosystems.

    Source

  12. #12

    Middlebury College

    Middlebury , VT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1430/32

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Middlebury College

    Cost of Degree: $62,460
    Expenses: $19,800
    Starting Salary: $41,007
    Salary after 4 years: $69,133
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Middlebury College Biology Major Concentrations

    • Environmental Science
    • Neuroscience
    • Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

    Source

  13. #13

    Kenyon College

    Gambier , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    37%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1370/31

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Kenyon College

    Cost of Degree: $66,490
    Expenses: $17,310
    Starting Salary: $31,083
    Salary after 4 years: $52,403
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Kenyon College Biology Major Tracks

    • Healthcare
    • Biotechnology
    • Environment

    Source

  14. #14

    Claremont McKenna College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/32

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Claremont McKenna College

    Cost of Degree: $60,715
    Expenses: $21,412
    Starting Salary: $53,155
    Salary after 4 years: $89,613
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Oberlin College Biology Major

    The biology major of the Keck Science Department aims to provide students with skills and knowledge t to effectively engage and evaluate biological science issues and innovations and to prepare them as leaders in research, biotechnology, and health-related career fields.

    Source

  15. #15

    Reed College

    Portland , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    44%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Reed College

    Cost of Degree: $64,760
    Expenses: $18,550
    Starting Salary: $30,056
    Salary after 4 years: $50,672
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Reed College Biology Major Concentrations

    • Biology General
    • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    • Environmental Studies-Biology
    • Neuroscience
    • Division of Mathematical and Natural Sciences

    Source

  16. #16

    Vassar College

    Poughkeepsie , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/33

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Vassar College

    Cost of Degree: $64,800
    Expenses: $18,810
    Starting Salary: $35,075
    Salary after 4 years: $59,133
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Vassar College Biology Major

    • Biology General
    • Biology and Culture

    Source

  17. #17

    Haverford College

    Haverford , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/33

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Haverford College

    Cost of Degree: $63,348
    Expenses: $21,120
    Starting Salary: $42,832
    Salary after 4 years: $72,210
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Haverford College Biology Major Concentrations

    • Cell Biology
    • Genetics
    • Immunology
    • Microbiology
    • Neurobiology
    • Developmental Biology
    • Protein Biochemistry
    • Coevolution of Plants and the Environment

    Source

  18. #18

    Barnard College

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1434/32

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Barnard College

    Cost of Degree: $62,525
    Expenses: $21,884
    Starting Salary: $39,752
    Salary after 4 years: $67,018
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Barnard College Biology Major Tracks

    • General Biology
    • Cellular & Molecular
    • Ecological & Evolutionary
    • Physiological & Organismal

    Source

  19. #19

    Colorado College

    Colorado Springs , CO
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Colorado College

    Cost of Degree: $65,028
    Expenses: $18,200
    Starting Salary: $28,459
    Salary after 4 years: $47,980
    Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Colorado College Major Concentrations

    • Molecular Biology
    • Organismal Biology and Ecology

    Source

  20. #20

    Carleton College

    Northfield , MN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1425/32

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Carleton College

    Cost of Degree: $62,634
    Expenses: $18,716
    Starting Salary: $38,725
    Salary after 4 years: $65,287
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Carleton College Biology Major Concentrations

    • Molecular and Cell Biology
    • Organismic Biology
    • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

    Source

  21. #21

    Davidson College

    Davidson , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $55K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1380/31

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Davidson College

    Cost of Degree: $57,090
    Expenses: $18,525
    Starting Salary: $40,550
    Salary after 4 years: $68,364
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Davidson College Biology Major

    Research opportunities with professors

    • Behavioral ecology
    • Biodiversity, conservation biology, & community ecology
    • Developmental neurobiology
    • Environmental cell biology
    • Genetics of mitochondrial morphogenesis
    • Genomics & synthetic biology
    • Immunology
    • Insect community ecology & conservation biology
    • Nervous system maintenance & regeneration
    • Viral pathogenesis

    Source

  22. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    33%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    23K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1315/29

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

    Cost of Degree: $10,319
    Expenses: $19,599
    Starting Salary: $45,562
    Salary after 4 years: $73,813
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo known for?

    California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Cal Poly Biological Science Major Concentrations

    • Anatomy and Physiology
    • Ecology, Evolution, Biodiversity, and Conservation
    • Molecular & Cellular Biology
    • General Curriculum Biology

    Source

  23. #23

    Smith College

    Northampton , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    30%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Smith College

    Cost of Degree: $58,768
    Expenses: $23,366
    Starting Salary: $29,144
    Salary after 4 years: $49,133
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Smith College Biology Major Tracks

    • Integrative Biology
    • Cells, Physiology, and Development
    • Genetics, Evolution, and Molecular Biosciences
    • Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation
    • Biology and Education

    Source

  24. #24

    Bryn Mawr College

    Bryn Mawr , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    39%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Bryn Mawr College

    Cost of Degree: $59,330
    Expenses: $20,050
    Starting Salary: $34,790
    Salary after 4 years: $58,652
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Bryn Mawr College Biology Major Interdisciplinary Concentrations

    • Data Science
    • Environmental Studies
    • Health Studies
    • Neuroscience

    Source

  25. Other Rankings

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1325/31

    USAFA Biology Major Concentrations

    • Environmental and Organismal Biology
    • Bioenvironmental Engineering
    • Cellular and Molecular Biology
    • Human Factors and Performance
    • Aerospace Physiology
    • Physical Therapy
    • Professional or Advanced Degree Option

    Source

Career Outlook for Students with Biology Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Biology/Biological Sciences

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,691
  • Avg. Expenses*: $16,459
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $29,245
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $47,379
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 11 years
  • Job Growth: 2.20%
  • Number of Jobs: 1,429,100
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers4.87%$122,066
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists9.83%$91,024
Life Scientists, All Other4.44%$83,663
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary8.49%$80,842
Biological Scientists, All Other3.81%$79,394

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$46,576$70,921$109,594

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 Illinois7% higher than average$76,911
#3 New York5% higher than average$85,063
#4 Minnesota4% higher than average$76,827
#5 New Jersey13% higher than average$90,918
#6 Ohio14% higher than average$69,084

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers$122,066
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$91,024
Life Scientists, All Other$83,663

Go to all Liberal Arts for Biology programs

The Best Biology Schools in Your State

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