Rankings / Bachelors
Best Bachelor's in Biology
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If you’re considering a bachelor's degree in biology, you’re likely looking for programs that not only offer a strong academic foundation but also lead to solid career opportunities. These schools have distinguished themselves in the field, with a focus on outcomes that matter most to students and families. For instance, the average earnings for graduates in biology from these programs is around $88,995.
What sets the top schools apart are their impressive graduation rates, mobility outcomes, manageable debt levels, and the concentration of their biology programs. The list below highlights institutions that excel in these areas, showcasing their commitment to student success. You’ll notice that the schools with higher earnings tend to have robust support systems that help ensure students not only graduate but thrive in their careers.
Take Johns Hopkins University and Princeton University, for example. While Johns Hopkins graduates earn an impressive $87,555, Princeton leads with $110,066 in earnings. Despite a lower net price of $6,128 at Princeton compared to $18,809 at Johns Hopkins, both schools maintain high graduation rates, indicating that students are not just enrolling but also completing their degrees successfully. This contrast showcases how different financial and outcome metrics can influence your choice.
Key Findings
Johns Hopkins graduates earn an average of $87,555, while Princeton graduates top the list at $110,066.
Graduation rates are high across the board, with an average of 91%, ensuring strong completion outcomes.
The average net price for these programs is $18,809, but Princeton's is significantly lower at $6,128.
Debt levels remain manageable, with an average of $10,250, providing a positive outlook for post-graduation financial health.
Quick Numbers
How We Ranked
Bachelor's programs ranked by outcomes, mobility, and program concentration in Biology & Biomedical
Read our full methodology →Earnings vs. Cost
Each dot is a ranked school. Up = higher earnings. Right = higher cost. Top-left is the best value.
Graduation Rates
Longer bars = higher graduation rate.
Top 3
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
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Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
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Rice University
Houston, TX
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Full Rankings
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · 5,693 students · Private nonprofit
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ · 5,709 students · Private nonprofit
Rice University
Houston, TX · 4,776 students · Private nonprofit
Stanford University
Stanford, CA · 7,554 students · Private nonprofit
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME · 1,873 students · Private nonprofit
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · 7,601 students · Private nonprofit
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA · 4,535 students · Private nonprofit
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL · 7,569 students · Private nonprofit
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · 10,650 students · Private nonprofit
Pomona College
Claremont, CA · 1,666 students · Private nonprofit
Amherst College
Amherst, MA · 1,911 students · Private nonprofit
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · 20,752 students · Public
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA · 2,300 students · Private nonprofit
Duke University
Durham, NC · 6,442 students · Private nonprofit
Brown University
Providence, RI · 7,226 students · Private nonprofit
Bates College
Lewiston, ME · 1,760 students · Private nonprofit
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY · 15,995 students · Private nonprofit
Davidson College
Davidson, NC · 1,867 students · Private nonprofit
Haverford College
Haverford, PA · 1,430 students · Private nonprofit
Williams College
Williamstown, MA · 2,076 students · Private nonprofit
Emory University
Atlanta, GA · 7,298 students · Private nonprofit
Yale University
New Haven, CT · 6,758 students · Private nonprofit
Binghamton University
Vestal, NY · 14,655 students · Public
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · 7,857 students · Private nonprofit
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY · 3,180 students · Private nonprofit
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · 35,629 students · Public
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · 9,201 students · Private nonprofit
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN · 7,208 students · Private nonprofit
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA · 18,785 students · Public
Colby College
Waterville, ME · 2,407 students · Private nonprofit
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA · 7,055 students · Public
Barnard College
New York, NY · 3,264 students · Private nonprofit
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT · 32,952 students · Private nonprofit
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA · 1,613 students · Private nonprofit
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA · 1,729 students · Private nonprofit
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · 8,973 students · Private nonprofit
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA · 1,388 students · Private nonprofit
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN · 8,818 students · Private nonprofit
Smith College
Northampton, MA · 2,544 students · Private nonprofit
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · 1,881 students · Private nonprofit
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT · 2,738 students · Private nonprofit
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA · 987 students · Private nonprofit
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY · 2,030 students · Private nonprofit
Lafayette College
Easton, PA · 2,757 students · Private nonprofit
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH · 4,541 students · Private nonprofit
University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA · 3,204 students · Private nonprofit
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI · 1,149 students · Private nonprofit
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · 10,085 students · Private nonprofit
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA · 1,491 students · Private nonprofit
Scripps College
Claremont, CA · 1,113 students · Private nonprofit
When looking closely at the data, the difference between Princeton University and Rice University becomes clear. Princeton graduates enjoy significantly higher earnings at $110,066 compared to Rice's $89,718. However, Rice students face a slightly higher net price, at $13,370, compared to Princeton's more accessible $6,128. This difference in financial commitment could lead to varied experiences for students in each program.
As you evaluate these schools, consider what matters most to you. Think about location, campus culture, and program fit alongside the financial implications. Are you willing to pay more for a school with higher earnings potential? Or do you prefer a supportive environment with lower costs? Weigh these factors against your personal and financial situation to make an informed decision.
Ultimately, the data illustrates a clear path from college to professional stability. Graduates from these top biology programs are entering careers with strong earning potential, which can significantly impact their quality of life. For families, choosing the right school might represent the difference between a comfortable lifestyle and financial struggle. This decision is more than just numbers; it's about shaping a future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Sources & Citations
David Krug
Co-Founder, CollegeRanker
David Krug is the co-founder of CollegeRanker and a data systems architect focused on making institutional research accessible to families. He builds the data pipelines and ranking algorithms that power CollegeRanker, drawing from federal datasets and Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights research to measure what traditional rankings ignore: whether a college actually changes a family's economic trajectory.
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