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Biology

Students study the fundamental principles of living organisms, including genetics, ecology, cell biology, evolution, and molecular biology through both lecture and laboratory coursework. Graduates typically pursue careers in healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical companies, environmental agencies, and research laboratories, or continue to medical, dental, or graduate school. Biology is one of the most popular pre-health majors and provides a strong foundation for diverse STEM careers.

Schools
822
Programs analyzed
Earnings
$32,220
Avg 1-yr grad earnings
Range $10,934–$54,223
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Field Overview

What Biology graduates do

Your biology degree prepares you for two main environments: the lab and the classroom. Many graduates begin as biological technicians, where your day involves preparing samples, operating lab instruments, and carefully documenting experimental results for a supervising scientist. Others pursue teaching certification to become high school teachers, a role centered on planning lessons on genetics, managing a classroom of teenagers, and grading lab reports.

With experience and often an advanced degree, you can progress from a technician to a medical scientist, a high-growth field where you’ll design experiments to study diseases and write grants to fund research. While secondary teaching has the most openings due to high turnover, the profession itself faces slight headwinds. In the lab, AI is becoming a powerful partner. It will automate significant chunks of routine work, like analyzing massive datasets or microscope images, changing your day-to-day tasks. Your value will increasingly lie in designing the right questions, interpreting complex results, and applying human judgment to the science.

If Biology isn't the right fit, programs like Biochemistry, Neuroscience, and Microbiology & Immunology draw from adjacent disciplines.

Career Trajectories

Where Biology graduates work

Common career paths for Biology graduates, with median salaries, projected growth, and AI exposure per role. Roughly 113,000 combined openings per year across these roles.

Role Median Pay Annual Openings 10-yr Growth AI Exposure
Natural sciences managers
$161,180
$114K–$215K
8,500 +3.7% High · 50%
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
$100,590
$77K–$134K
9,600 +8.7% High · 52%
Biological scientists, all other
$93,330
$68K–$121K
4,800 +1.2% Moderate · 49%
Life scientists, all other
$87,800
$66K–$124K
400 +3.7% Low · 0%
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
$83,460
$64K–$125K
5,400 +7.3% Moderate · 47%
Forensic science technicians
$67,440
$53K–$89K
2,900 +12.8% Moderate · 39%
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
$64,580
$58K–$83K
66,200 -1.6% Moderate · 33%
Biological technicians
$52,000
$45K–$66K
9,100 +3.5% Moderate · 42%
Food science technicians
$49,430
$44K–$61K
3,200 +4.8% Moderate · 36%
Agricultural technicians
$46,790
$38K–$59K
2,900 +4.3% High · 50%
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).
Top Institutions

Best schools for Biology

Schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score (earnings × AI resilience × ROI × job-market size). Top 10 of 822.

Rank #1 · DegreeOutlook Score 63
California State University-East Bay
Hayward, CA · Public
$44,370 1-yr earnings
25.2x ROI multiple
High AI risk
# School DW Score 1-yr Earnings ROI
5 Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
59 $40,145 18.5x
6 California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA · Public
59 $38,527 23.8x
7 University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · Public
58 $46,526 10.7x
8 Worcester State University
Worcester, MA · Public
58 $44,450 14.0x
9 California State University-Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA · Public
58 $38,344 24.4x
10 University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI · Public
57 $45,846 10.4x
11 Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN · Public
57 $42,128 15.4x
12 Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA · Public
57 $41,250 15.0x
13 Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE · Private nonprofit
57 $40,741 17.7x
14 Utah Valley University
Orem, UT · Public
57 $38,427 24.8x
15 Miami University-Hamilton
Hamilton, OH · Public
57 $38,122 22.9x
16 Miami University-Middletown
Middletown, OH · Public
57 $38,122 22.9x
17 University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Manchester, NH · Public
56 $45,346 10.6x
18 University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME · Public
56 $43,722 13.6x
19 California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA · Public
56 $37,192 21.3x
20 Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA · Public
55 $44,626 12.6x
Explore our Biology rankings across 822 schools nationwide →

Highest Earnings Top 5

University of San Diego
CA
$54,223
Trinity College
CT
$52,179
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
MA
$51,711
Edgewood College
WI
$51,134
Shepherd University
WV
$49,165

Biology vs Other Majors

See how Biology compares to similar fields on earnings, AI risk, and career paths.

Related majors

Similar fields of study often offered alongside Biology.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Biology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Biology

What's the typical salary after a Biology degree?

Across 822 schools, Biology graduates earn an average of $32,220 per year in their first year after graduation. Earnings range from $10,934 to $54,223 depending on the school.

Will AI affect Biology careers?

AI exposure for Biology is rated "High." With 45% of tasks potentially affected by large language models, some career functions face meaningful automation pressure in the coming decade.

What's the top-ranked school for Biology?

Our data ranks California State University-East Bay first among 822 Biology programs. Its score of 63/100 reflects strong outcomes across earnings ($44,370/yr), return on investment, and career durability.

What's the ROI on a Biology degree?

On average, Biology graduates earn 8.8x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a moderate return — school choice matters significantly.