# Best Bachelor's in Biology

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: Bachelors
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-biology

## Methodology

Bachelor's programs ranked by outcomes, mobility, and program concentration in Biology & Biomedical

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

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.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johns-hopkins-university) | Baltimore, MD | 94% | $87,555 | $18,809 | $10,250 | 0.12x |
| 2 | [Princeton University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/princeton-university) | Princeton, NJ | 97% | $110,066 | $6,128 | $10,320 | 0.09x |
| 3 | [Rice University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rice-university) | Houston, TX | 95% | $89,718 | $13,370 | $11,000 | 0.12x |
| 4 | [Stanford University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stanford-university) | Stanford, CA | 92% | $124,080 | $13,807 | $12,000 | 0.1x |
| 5 | [Bowdoin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bowdoin-college) | Brunswick, ME | 95% | $82,735 | $14,398 | $18,500 | 0.22x |
| 6 | [Harvard University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harvard-university) | Cambridge, MA | 97% | $101,817 | $19,066 | $14,000 | 0.14x |
| 7 | [Massachusetts Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/massachusetts-institute-of-technology) | Cambridge, MA | 96% | $143,372 | $20,111 | $14,768 | 0.1x |
| 8 | [University of Chicago](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-chicago) | Chicago, IL | 95% | $91,885 | $14,860 | $15,000 | 0.16x |
| 9 | [University of Pennsylvania](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-pennsylvania) | Philadelphia, PA | 97% | $111,371 | $28,699 | $15,715 | 0.14x |
| 10 | [Pomona College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pomona-college) | Claremont, CA | 93% | $77,779 | $19,285 | $11,782 | 0.15x |
| 11 | [Amherst College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/amherst-college) | Amherst, MA | 94% | $77,644 | $23,367 | $13,740 | 0.18x |
| 12 | [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill) | Chapel Hill, NC | 92% | $72,200 | $11,655 | $14,000 | 0.19x |
| 13 | [Wellesley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wellesley-college) | Wellesley, MA | 91% | $84,803 | $25,496 | $10,000 | 0.12x |
| 14 | [Duke University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/duke-university) | Durham, NC | 96% | $97,800 | $29,612 | $13,000 | 0.13x |
| 15 | [Brown University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brown-university) | Providence, RI | 96% | $93,487 | $25,184 | $11,428 | 0.12x |
| 16 | [Bates College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bates-college) | Lewiston, ME | 90% | $69,498 | $29,351 | $14,275 | 0.21x |
| 17 | [Cornell University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cornell-university) | Ithaca, NY | 95% | $104,043 | $28,690 | $14,000 | 0.13x |
| 18 | [Davidson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/davidson-college) | Davidson, NC | 91% | $81,400 | $17,379 | $18,688 | 0.23x |
| 19 | [Haverford College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/haverford-college) | Haverford, PA | 90% | $79,966 | $25,314 | $13,621 | 0.17x |
| 20 | [Williams College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/williams-college) | Williamstown, MA | 95% | $88,665 | $17,716 | $12,761 | 0.14x |
| 21 | [Emory University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emory-university) | Atlanta, GA | 91% | $80,137 | $22,585 | $18,250 | 0.23x |
| 22 | [Yale University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/yale-university) | New Haven, CT | 96% | $100,533 | $23,777 | $12,975 | 0.13x |
| 23 | [Binghamton University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/binghamton-university) | Vestal, NY | 83% | $80,596 | $21,620 | $18,500 | 0.23x |
| 24 | [Washington University in St Louis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washington-university-in-st-louis) | St. Louis, MO | 94% | $86,182 | $21,786 | $17,500 | 0.2x |
| 25 | [Colgate University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colgate-university) | Hamilton, NY | 91% | $85,139 | $28,786 | $15,000 | 0.18x |
| 26 | [University of Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida) | Gainesville, FL | 91% | $71,588 | $6,541 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 27 | [Northwestern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-university) | Evanston, IL | 96% | $89,363 | $29,167 | $15,000 | 0.17x |
| 28 | [Vanderbilt University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/vanderbilt-university) | Nashville, TN | 93% | $91,565 | $15,846 | $14,000 | 0.15x |
| 29 | [Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-institute-of-technology-main-campus) | Atlanta, GA | 93% | $102,772 | $12,116 | $21,672 | 0.21x |
| 30 | [Colby College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colby-college) | Waterville, ME | 89% | $80,490 | $17,180 | $19,157 | 0.24x |
| 31 | [William & Mary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-mary) | Williamsburg, VA | 90% | $73,490 | $19,096 | $18,500 | 0.25x |
| 32 | [Barnard College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/barnard-college) | New York, NY | 93% | $80,516 | $28,800 | $18,000 | 0.22x |
| 33 | [Brigham Young University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brigham-young-university) | Provo, UT | 82% | $75,790 | $15,564 | $11,069 | 0.15x |
| 34 | [Swarthmore College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/swarthmore-college) | Swarthmore, PA | 93% | $80,257 | $23,149 | $17,500 | 0.22x |
| 35 | [Grinnell College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grinnell-college) | Grinnell, IA | 88% | $62,830 | $17,648 | $17,500 | 0.28x |
| 36 | [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york) | New York, NY | 96% | $102,491 | $21,590 | $21,500 | 0.21x |
| 37 | [Claremont McKenna College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/claremont-mckenna-college) | Claremont, CA | 93% | $104,736 | $28,849 | $13,500 | 0.13x |
| 38 | [University of Notre Dame](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-notre-dame) | Notre Dame, IN | 96% | $99,980 | $26,780 | $19,000 | 0.19x |
| 39 | [Smith College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/smith-college) | Northampton, MA | 89% | $64,027 | $27,579 | $17,550 | 0.27x |
| 40 | [Washington and Lee University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washington-and-lee-university) | Lexington, VA | 94% | $94,810 | $23,781 | $19,500 | 0.21x |
| 41 | [Middlebury College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/middlebury-college) | Middlebury, VT | 92% | $76,310 | $31,483 | $13,857 | 0.18x |
| 42 | [California Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-institute-of-technology) | Pasadena, CA | 94% | $128,566 | $16,075 | N/A | N/A |
| 43 | [Hamilton College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hamilton-college) | Clinton, NY | 91% | $78,411 | $28,985 | $17,000 | 0.22x |
| 44 | [Lafayette College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lafayette-college) | Easton, PA | 88% | $91,410 | $34,433 | $16,000 | 0.18x |
| 45 | [Dartmouth College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dartmouth-college) | Hanover, NH | 96% | $97,434 | $29,519 | $17,500 | 0.18x |
| 46 | [University of the Pacific](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-the-pacific) | Stockton, CA | 68% | $78,445 | $25,447 | $19,500 | 0.25x |
| 47 | [Kalamazoo College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kalamazoo-college) | Kalamazoo, MI | 79% | $65,590 | $19,072 | $26,077 | 0.4x |
| 48 | [Boston College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/boston-college) | Chestnut Hill, MA | 91% | $103,937 | $41,704 | $19,000 | 0.18x |
| 49 | [Ursinus College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ursinus-college) | Collegeville, PA | 75% | $73,721 | $30,536 | $27,000 | 0.37x |
| 50 | [Scripps College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/scripps-college) | Claremont, CA | 85% | $77,539 | $36,294 | $13,500 | 0.17x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Bachelor's in Biology." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-biology

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.