Best Colleges and Universities for Biology Degrees 2026

Badge for BEST FOR BIOLOGY COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

The best biology schools 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.

Key Takeaways

  • Many of the best colleges and universities for biology degrees integrate biology with other disciplines such as bioinformatics, biochemistry, and environmental studies, providing a well-rounded education that prepares students for diverse career paths or advanced studies.
  • The institutions in our ranking offer extensive research programs and access to state-of-the-art laboratories, enabling students to engage in hands-on experiments and contribute to groundbreaking studies in fields like genetics, microbiology, and environmental science.
  • The best colleges and universities for biology degrees often include unique fieldwork opportunities in ecosystems like rainforests, coral reefs, or arctic tundras, along with study abroad options that allow students to explore global biodiversity and conservation efforts.

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 and is one of the most popular degrees for those wishing to work with animals. 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

Featured Programs

The Best Colleges and Universities for Biology Degrees

  1. #1

    Harvard University

    Cambridge , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    38K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1545/35

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Harvard University

    Cost of Degree: $59,076
    Expenses: $27,629
    Starting Salary: $61,816
    Salary after 4 years: $94,683
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. #2

    Columbia University

    New York , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $74K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    39K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1545/34

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Columbia University

    Cost of Degree: $68,171
    Expenses: $20,542
    Starting Salary: $55,466
    Salary after 4 years: $84,957
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    Stanford University

    Stanford , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    21K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1545/34

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Stanford University

    Cost of Degree: $62,484
    Expenses: $25,349
    Starting Salary: $63,530
    Salary after 4 years: $97,309
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #4

    Yale University

    New Haven , CT

    Tuition + fees

    $70K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Yale University

    Cost of Degree: $64,700
    Expenses: $23,600
    Starting Salary: $59,990
    Salary after 4 years: $91,887
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1550/35

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $60,156
    Expenses: $22,574
    Starting Salary: $77,324
    Salary after 4 years: $118,436
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    62K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1285/25

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at University of Arizona

    Cost of Degree: $13,277
    Expenses: $19,500
    Starting Salary: $36,420
    Salary after 4 years: $53,401
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Arizona’s Online Degrees

    BA in Africana Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BAS in Administration of Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Care, Health and Society
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Emergency Medical Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BAS in Cyber Operations
    Degree Concentrations
    • Engineering
    • Defense & Forensics
    • and Cyber Law & Policy
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BAS in Early Childhood
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    Bachelor of General Studies in Economy and Industry
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Environmental Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    Bachelor of General Studies, in Arts, Media and Entertainment
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    Bachelor of General Studies in Global and Intercultural Understanding
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Global Media
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Government and Public Service
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Human Rights Practice
    • Format: Fully online
    BAS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Geographic Information Systems Technology (GIST)
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Literacy, Learning and Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Information Science and ESociety
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BAS in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Law
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BAS in Regional Commerce
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BAS in Intelligence and Information Operations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Philosophy: Ethics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Biology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Nutritional Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Spanish
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    Bachelor of General Studies in Sports and Society
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Public Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Sustainable Built Environments
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    Bachelor of General Studies in Social Behavior and Human Understanding
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    Bachelor of General Studies in Science, Technology, Health and Society
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
  7. #7

    University of Florida

    Gainesville , FL

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    24%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    62K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1400/31

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at University of Florida

    Cost of Degree: $6,381
    Expenses: $16,220
    Starting Salary: $42,386
    Salary after 4 years: $62,148
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. #8

    Wesleyan University

    Middletown , CT

    Tuition + fees

    $73K

    Acceptance

    16%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1477/34

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $67,016
    Expenses: $21,704
    Starting Salary: $44,001
    Salary after 4 years: $67,397
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. #9

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1525/34

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Swarthmore College

    Cost of Degree: $62,412
    Expenses: $21,691
    Starting Salary: $43,748
    Salary after 4 years: $67,009
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #10

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $74K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Amherst College

    Cost of Degree: $67,280
    Expenses: $20,360
    Starting Salary: $48,234
    Salary after 4 years: $73,879
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. #11

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $73K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1530/34

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Williams College

    Cost of Degree: $64,860
    Expenses: $20,000
    Starting Salary: $48,636
    Salary after 4 years: $74,495
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. #12

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1525/34

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Pomona College

    Cost of Degree: $62,326
    Expenses: $22,974
    Starting Salary: $42,719
    Salary after 4 years: $65,433
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. #13

    Kean University

    Union , NJ

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at Kean University

    Cost of Degree: $13,426
    Expenses: $21,004
    Starting Salary: $33,667
    Salary after 4 years: $49,364
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Kean University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Management- Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Management- Human Resources Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Management- Supply Chain
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Management-General Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Biology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
  14. Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/20

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at West Texas A&M University

    Cost of Degree: $9,101
    Expenses: $15,503
    Starting Salary: $29,727
    Salary after 4 years: $43,587
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    West Texas A&M University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Economics
    Degree Concentrations
    • Digital Collaboration and Economics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BAc in Accounting
    Degree Concentrations
    • General
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Economics
    Degree Concentrations
    • Law and Economics Specialization
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in General Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BAAS in Applied Arts and Sciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • Animal Science
    • Art
    • Behavioral Sciences
    • Biology
    • Business Law and Ethics
    • (Speech) Communication
    • Computer Art
    • Criminal Justice
    • Economics
    • Engineering Technology
    • English
    • Geology
    • History
    • Legal Studies
    • Mass Communication–Broadcasting
    • Mathematics
    • Political Science
    • Psychology
    • Public Administration
    • Public Relations
    • Science and Technology
    • Social Work
    • Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BGS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Health Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BSN in RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
  15. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    22%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1086/22

    Career Outlook for Biology degree at University of Houston–Victoria

    Cost of Degree: $7,499
    Expenses: $15,252
    Starting Salary: $30,184
    Salary after 4 years: $44,258
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Houston–Victoria’s Online Degrees

    BA in Art
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Digital Gaming
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Economics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in General Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Human Resources Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in International Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Creative Writing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in English
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Communication Design
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Mathematical Sciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • Mathematics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Spanish
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Health Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Kinesiology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Sports Science Specialization
    • Pre-Allied Health
    • Sports Management Specialization
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Biology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Fully online

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*: $11,014
  • Avg. Expenses*: $17,409
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $32,126
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $47,104
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 12 years
  • Job Growth: 1.47%
  • Number of Jobs: 1,457,600
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers7.49%$157,740
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists11.46%$100,890
Biological Scientists, All Other5.69%$91,100
Life Scientists, All Other6.25%$86,950
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary8.32%$83,920

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers$157,740
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$100,890
Biological Scientists, All Other$91,100

The Best Biology Schools in Your State

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