Best Colleges for Biology, General

Biology remains one of the most popular undergraduate majors, with 864 colleges nationwide offering comprehensive programs in this foundational science. Graduates typically earn around $28,622 in their early careers, though earnings potential increases significantly with advanced degrees or specialized training.

When evaluating Biology programs, students should prioritize hands-on laboratory experience, undergraduate research opportunities, and strong faculty mentorship. Look for schools with modern research facilities, partnerships with hospitals or research institutions, and solid preparation for graduate school or professional programs in medicine, dentistry, or veterinary science. Class sizes, student-to-faculty ratios, and access to internships also matter significantly for building the practical skills and connections essential for career advancement in biological sciences.

Schools Ranked

$41,419

Avg. Program Earnings

62.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$47,118	67.7%	private-nonprofit
2	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York	$46,478	83.2%	private-nonprofit
3	Neumann University Aston, Pennsylvania	$44,170	46.1%	private-nonprofit
4	University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, Michigan	$42,682	68.1%	private-nonprofit
5	DeSales University Center Valley, Pennsylvania	$42,235	71.0%	private-nonprofit
6	Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, California	$41,565	69.0%	private-nonprofit
7	Wabash College Crawfordsville, Indiana	$41,565	77.1%	private-nonprofit
8	Union College Schenectady, New York	$41,565	85.3%	private-nonprofit
9	The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, Texas	$41,565	43.0%	public
10	Salem State University Salem, Massachusetts	$41,308	55.0%	public
11	California State University-East Bay Hayward, California	$41,261	45.5%	public
12	Fairfield University Fairfield, Connecticut	$41,193	83.8%	private-nonprofit
13	Indian River State College Fort Pierce, Florida	$41,193	42.5%	public
14	Bellevue University Bellevue, Nebraska	$41,025	55.9%	private-nonprofit
15	Virginia Military Institute Lexington, Virginia	$41,007	81.8%	public
16	Governors State University University Park, Illinois	$40,281	19.6%	public
17	Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, Massachusetts	$40,281	88.4%	private-nonprofit
18	West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, Pennsylvania	$40,233	69.8%	public
19	University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$39,927	60.7%	private-nonprofit
20	Rider University Lawrenceville, New Jersey	$39,927	63.3%	private-nonprofit
21	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Durham, New Hampshire	$39,849	76.4%	public
22	University of New Hampshire at Manchester Manchester, New Hampshire	$39,849	65.1%	public
23	Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, California	$39,729	60.5%	public
24	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$39,729	38.4%	public
25	Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas	$39,729	51.2%	public