Bachelor’s Degrees in General Biology
Education Levels of Biology Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 85,460 people earned their bachelor's degree in biology. This makes it the 4th most popular bachelor's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in biology at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 85,460 |
| Master’s Degree | 7,761 |
| Associate Degree | 7,647 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 1,911 |
| Basic Certificate | 723 |
| Graduate Certificate | 260 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 121 |
Earnings of Biology Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in biology is $32,337. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $28,222 and the high is $36,160.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in biology is $27,650. The school you go to and how long it takes you to graduate, among other things, can cause this number to vary. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $43,278 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $20,008.
Those students who are paying back their debt on a 10-year repayment plan have a median monthly payment of $329.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in biology. About 68.0% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 27,351 |
| Women | 58,109 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of biology bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 12,007 |
| Black or African American | 8,400 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 15,488 |
| White | 41,018 |
| International Students | 2,348 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 6,199 |
Most Popular Biology Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 1,383 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in biology. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
University of South Florida - Main Campus tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for biology majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree. Each year, around 50,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,559 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,350 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,329 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from USF Tampa. About 65% of this group were women, and 51% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in biology at University of South Florida - Main Campus make a median salary of 32,337.
The 2nd most popular school in the country for biology majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Arizona State University - Tempe. Roughly 74,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,376 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 920 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from ASU - Tempe. Of these students, 67% were women and 52% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in biology at Arizona State University - Tempe make a median salary of 32,337.
Florida International University is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in biology. Each year, around 58,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,721 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,119 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 906 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from FIU. Of these students, 69% were women and 92% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in biology at Florida International University make a median salary of 32,337.
University of Central Florida comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in biology. Each year, around 71,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,478 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,916 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 852 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from UCF. Of these students, 65% were women and 56% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of Central Florida biology graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,337.
University of California - Irvine is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in biology. Roughly 36,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 749 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from UC Irvine. Around 80% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 65% were women. Data shows that UC Irvine graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,337.
The 6th most popular school in the country for biology majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Texas A&M University - College Station. Roughly 70,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,003 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,885 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 742 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from Texas A&M College Station. Around 54% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 66% were women. Data shows that Texas A&M College Station graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,337.
The 7th most popular school in the country for biology majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is The University of Texas at Austin. Roughly 50,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,678 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,012 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 679 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from UT Austin. Of these students, 71% were women and 66% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. The University of Texas at Austin biology graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,337.
University of California - Riverside comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in biology. Roughly 26,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 618 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from UCR. Of these students, 56% were women and 82% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UCR graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,337.
The 9th most popular school in the country for biology majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Roughly 30,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,019 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,552 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 603 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from UNC Chapel Hill. Around 42% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 68% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in biology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill make a median salary of 32,337.
University of Florida is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in biology. Roughly 53,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,477 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,770 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 563 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from UF. Around 52% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 68% were women. Data shows that UF graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,337.
The 11th most popular school in the country for biology majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Georgia. Roughly 39,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,790 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,878 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 557 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from UGA. Around 48% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 65% were women. University of Georgia biology graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,337.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in biology. Roughly 32,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,637 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,948 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 549 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from UT Rio Grande Valley. Of these students, 68% were women and 96% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley biology graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,337.
University of Maryland - College Park is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in biology. Roughly 40,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,889 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,560 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 536 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from UMCP. Around 56% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 66% were women. Data shows that UMCP graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,337.
University of California - Los Angeles is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in biology. Each year, around 44,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 515 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from UCLA. Of these students, 65% were women and 72% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UCLA graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,337.
Stony Brook University comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in biology. Each year, around 26,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,070 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,310 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 493 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from SUNY Stony Brook. Around 63% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 63% were women. Stony Brook University biology graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,337.
Florida Atlantic University comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in biology. Each year, around 30,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $2,522 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,467 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 486 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from FAU. About 74% of this group were women, and 63% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that FAU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,337.
The 17th most popular school in the country for biology majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Ohio State University - Main Campus. Each year, around 61,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,826 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,515 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 482 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from Ohio State. About 61% of this group were women, and 35% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Ohio State graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,337.
Michigan State University comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in biology. Roughly 49,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $20,808 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 477 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from Michigan State. Of these students, 71% were women and 33% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in biology at Michigan State University make a median salary of 32,337.
Northern Arizona University is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in biology. Each year, around 29,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,674 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 461 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from NAU. About 72% of this group were women, and 46% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Northern Arizona University biology graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,337.
The 20th most popular school in the country for biology majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Illinois at Chicago. Roughly 33,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,656 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,108 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 452 people received their bachelor's degree in biology from UIC. About 63% of this group were women, and 65% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UIC graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,337.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to biology that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry & Biophysics | 12,092 |
| Neurobiology & Neurosciences | 11,367 |
| Physiology & Pathology Sciences | 7,365 |
| Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences | 4,605 |
| Ecology & Systematics Biology | 4,476 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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