Best Online Master’s in Biology

BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN BIOLOGY

Find top-ranked online master’s in biology degree programs to prepare students for roles as marine biologists, biochemists, educators, public health officials, and more.

Top 10 Online Master's in Biology Degrees

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  1. University of Missouri
  2. North Carolina State University
  3. Miami University
  4. Clemson University
  5. University of Alabama in Huntsville
  6. Liberty University
  7. Jackson State University
  8. Nova Southeastern University
  9. Western Kentucky University
  10. Troy University
  1. Liberty University 99%
  2. Columbia College 99%
  3. Western Kentucky University 98%
  4. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 97%
  5. Concord University 96%
  6. Troy University 95%
  7. Nova Southeastern University 93%
  8. Stevenson University 91%
  9. University of Nebraska at Kearney 90%
  10. Miami University 89%
  1. Western Kentucky University 19 to 1
  2. University of Alabama in Huntsville 19 to 1
  3. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 19 to 1
  4. University of Missouri 18 to 1
  5. Troy University 18 to 1
  6. Nova Southeastern University 17 to 1
  7. Liberty University 17 to 1
  8. Columbus State University 17 to 1
  9. Miami University 16 to 1
  10. Concord University 16 to 1
  1. University of Saint Joseph $43,084
  2. Stevenson University $38,168
  3. Lewis University $35,472
  4. Nova Southeastern University $34,570
  5. Faulkner University $23,490
  6. Liberty University $22,713
  7. Columbia College $20,880
  8. Clemson University $14,118
  9. Miami University $13,253
  10. Western Kentucky University $10,992
  1. Nova Southeastern University $21,153
  2. Lewis University $14,760
  3. University of Saint Joseph $14,328
  4. Miami University $12,806
  5. Western Kentucky University $12,140
  6. SUNY Brockport $11,310
  7. University of Alabama in Huntsville $10,632
  8. Clemson University $10,600
  9. Faulkner University $10,374
  10. University of Missouri $9,950
  1. Columbia College
  2. University of Saint Joseph
  3. SUNY Brockport
  4. Concord University
  5. University of West Alabama
  6. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
  7. Columbus State University
  8. Lewis University
  9. West Liberty University
  10. Stevenson University
  1. Alcorn State University 39%
  2. North Carolina State University 47%
  3. Clemson University 49%
  4. Jackson State University 62%
  5. Faulkner University 65%
  6. Lewis University 71%
  7. University of West Alabama 74%
  8. West Liberty University 74%
  9. University of Alabama in Huntsville 74%
  10. SUNY Brockport 76%
  1. University of Saint Joseph 7 to 1
  2. West Liberty University 11 to 1
  3. Columbia College 12 to 1
  4. University of Nebraska at Kearney 13 to 1
  5. Faulkner University 13 to 1
  6. Lewis University 14 to 1
  7. Jackson State University 14 to 1
  8. North Carolina State University 14 to 1
  9. University of West Alabama 14 to 1
  10. Stevenson University 15 to 1
  1. Columbus State University $4,371
  2. University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,270
  3. North Carolina State University $6,535
  4. SUNY Brockport $7,070
  5. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania $7,716
  6. Concord University $8,130
  7. Alcorn State University $8,176
  8. Jackson State University $8,270
  9. West Liberty University $8,354
  10. University of West Alabama $9,100
  1. University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,216
  2. Columbus State University $6,300
  3. University of West Alabama $6,678
  4. West Liberty University $6,786
  5. Alcorn State University $7,785
  6. Liberty University $7,847
  7. Jackson State University $8,270
  8. Stevenson University $8,340
  9. Troy University $8,550
  10. Concord University $8,730

A master’s degree in biology is an advanced degree designed for students who plan to work in fields like pharmacology, healthcare, environmental sciences, epidemiology, science education, and more. This advanced degree is typically research-intensive, and provides students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding in a specific area of biology such as biophysics, microbiology, biochemistry, marine biology, genetics, and much more.

The master’s degree in biology can usually be earned either online or in-person, though your program may require some in-person practicum or laboratory work. In most cases, students will earn the required 30-50 credits over a period of one to two years. Graduates will qualify to work as science educators, post-secondary adjuncts, researchers, forensics experts, public health officials, and much more.

Best Online Master's in Biology Degree Programs
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Median Salaries of Similar Careers in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of similar occupations to Biological Scientists, All Other in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary
67710Foresters
68230Conservation Scientists
70300Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
87820Microbiologists
90010Biological Scientists, All Other

Featured Programs

Best Online Master’s in Biology Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Missouri

    Columbia , MO
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/26

    Online Degrees

    MS in Biological Engineering (Non Thesis)
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. #5

    Nova Southeastern University

    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/23

    Online Degrees

    MS in Biological Sciences
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. #6

    Western Kentucky University

    Bowling Green , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/22

    Online Degrees

    MS in Biology
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #9

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    79K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1145/25

    Online Degrees

    MS in Human Biology
    • Required Credits: 34
    • Completion time: 1.5 years
    • Format: Online
  5. #10

    Troy University

    Troy , AL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1020/21

    Online Degrees

    MS in Environmental and Biological Science
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. #14

    University of Saint Joseph

    West Hartford , CT

    Tuition + fees

    $43K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1070/23

    Online Degrees

    MS in Biology
    • Required Credits: 30-36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Best Online Master’s in Biology Education

  1. Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1035/20

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Secondary Education

    Concentrations

    • Specialization: Biology
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. #5

    Troy University

    Troy , AL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1020/21

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Secondary Education

    Concentrations

    • Biology, General Science, Mathematics, Social Science (6-12)
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Environmental and Biological Science
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. #7

    Stevenson University

    Stevenson , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    3K

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Integrative Learning Plus Biology Bs+Ms Program
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
    MA in Teaching Plus Biology Bs+Ms Program
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
    MA in Teaching

    Concentrations

    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Earth And Space Science
    • Physical Science
    • Physics
    • Mathematics
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #8

    SUNY Brockport

    Brockport , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/22

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Adolescence Education

    Concentrations

    • Biology
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.