Top Universities for Biological Sciences: A Comprehensive Guide

For students with a passion for understanding the intricacies of life, a degree in biological sciences can be the first step toward a fulfilling career. Biological sciences is the most popular major for those planning to one day apply to med schools. Many biology majors will also continue their education beyond a bachelor’s pursuing Master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Choosing the right undergraduate program is crucial for aspiring biologists. With all of these challenges ahead, you’ll want to choose a renowned institution that is one of the best biology colleges and will help you emerge from four years of study ready to compete in a competitive job or graduate school market. This article provides a detailed ranking of top universities for biological sciences, highlighting their academic strengths, research opportunities, and career outcomes.

Methodology

In order to rank the best undergraduate programs in biology, we analyzed institution- and program-level data collected by the National Center for Education Statistics as reported by IPEDS, salary and other outcomes collected by PayScale and College Scorecard, and peer assessment data collected through a number of different college rankings systems and surveys, including our own.

Top Universities for Biological Sciences

Here’s a quick preview of the ten highest ranking biology colleges that made our list. All of the schools profiled below have stellar reputations in the field of biology and commit substantial resources to undergraduate education.

1. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is hard to beat if you wish to pursue a degree in biological & biomedical sciences. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

The biology department at Johns Hopkins has 27 different research laboratories. There were roughly 1207 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Biological & Biomedical Sciences degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University earn a boost of approximately $33,386 above the average earnings of biological & biomedical sciences graduates.

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Professional Outcomes:

Ninety-four percent of recent graduates successfully land at their next destination within six months of exiting the university; 69% of graduates entered the world of employment and a robust 20% went directly to graduate/professional school.
The median starting salary across all majors was $80,000 with top employers including Amazon, DCPS, Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon.

2. Cornell University

Cornell University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in biological & biomedical sciences. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.Students in the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences can declare this major.

There were about 604 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year. After graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients usually earn around $37,930 in their early careers.

Academic Highlights:

Classes are a bit larger at Cornell than at many other elite institutions. Still, 54% of sections have fewer than 20 students. Introductory courses sometimes take place in larger lecture halls, so 24% of courses have an enrollment of more than forty students.
Undergraduates do give their professors generally high marks: 88% report being satisfied with the instruction they have received, 48% report completing a thesis/research project, and 53% conducted research with a faculty member.

Professional Outcomes:

Breaking down the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest school at Cornell, 63% entered the workforce, 26% entered graduate school, 2% pursued other endeavors such as travel or volunteer work, and the remaining 4% were still seeking employment six months after receiving their diplomas.
Graduates earned a median salary of $85,000. Of the students from A&S going on to graduate school, 13% pursued JDs, 4% MDs, and 25% PhDs. Popular destinations included staying at Cornell, other Ivies, Stanford, MIT, universities in the UC system, or abroad at Oxford, Cambridge, the University of Toronto, or the University of St.

3. University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in biological & biomedical sciences. UPenn is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were approximately 575 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the biological & biomedical sciences degree program at University of Pennsylvania make $27,682 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

Academic Highlights:

90 distinct degrees are available across four schools.
The university boasts an exceptional 27% of courses with an enrollment under ten and 58% with an enrollment under twenty-quite an achievement for a school of Penn’s massive size.
It also offers multiple ways for undergrads to conduct research, whether through independent studies or working side-by-side with faculty members. The university publishes 12 distinct journals featuring original undergraduate research.

Professional Outcomes:

76% of Class of 2023 grads were employed within six months of graduating, and 16% were in graduate school.
Employers hiring the greatest number of 2023 grads included McKinsey & Company, Penn Medicine, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Goldman Sachs. The median starting salary for all graduates is $100,000.

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

Every student who is interested in biological & biomedical sciences needs to take a look at Columbia University in the City of New York. Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

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There were approximately 863 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Biological & Biomedical Sciences degree recipients from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a boost of approximately $36,221 over the average earnings of biological & biomedical sciences graduates.

5. New York University

NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were about 883 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the biological & biomedical sciences degree program at New York University get $2,401 more than the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

6. Duke University

Duke is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Durham. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were roughly 599 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the biological & biomedical sciences program state that they receive average early career earnings of $32,929.

Academic Highlights:

Class sizes are on the small side-74% are nineteen or fewer, and almost one-quarter are less than ten. A stellar 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio helps keep classes so reasonable even while catering to five figures worth of graduate students.
The Undergraduate Research Support Office does great work connecting students with opportunities to conduct research, either over the summer or during the regular school year. All told, more than half of undergraduates conduct research.

Professional Outcomes:

At graduation, approximately 76% of Duke diploma-earners enter the world of work, 17% continue into graduate schools, and 7% start their own businesses.
Companies employing multiple Duke grads per year include Google, Capital One, Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Accenture, and a host of other top-shelf corporations in the areas of technology, finance, and consulting.
Eventually, 84% of Duke undergraduates will go on to earn an advanced degree One-third of Duke alumni elect to stay in North Carolina. New York, California, DC, and Massachusetts follow in popularity.

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Located in the city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were approximately 905 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients generally make around $37,091 at the beginning of their careers.

8. University of California - Berkeley

Located in the city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were roughly 1149 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the biological & biomedical sciences degree program at University of California - Berkeley get $6,319 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the city of Minneapolis. This university ranks 1st out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were about 1250 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the biological & biomedical sciences program report average early career wages of $36,523.

10. Boston College

Located in the small city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population. This college ranks 3rd out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were roughly 325 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent year we have data available. Biological & Biomedical Sciences degree recipients from Boston College get an earnings boost of about $2,421 above the average earnings of biological & biomedical sciences graduates.

Other Notable Institutions

Beyond the top 10, several other universities offer exceptional programs in biological sciences:

University of Chicago: UChicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall. There were about 380 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the biological & biomedical sciences degree program at University of Chicago get $11,216 above the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
Boston University: Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts. There were approximately 1137 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year. Those biological & biomedical sciences students who get their degree from Boston University receive $12,273 more than the standard biological & biomedical sciences graduate.
University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA): UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Los Angeles. This university ranks 4th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California. There were roughly 1734 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the biological & biomedical sciences program make around $31,963 in the first couple years of working.
University of Wisconsin - Madison: UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the large city of Madison. This university ranks 1st out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin. There were approximately 1578 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the biological & biomedical sciences program report average early career earnings of $36,565.
Tufts University: Located in the large suburb of Medford, Tufts is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts. There were approximately 398 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Tufts in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the biological & biomedical sciences degree program at Tufts University get $6,076 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.
Texas A&M University - College Station: Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of College Station. This university ranks 1st out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas. There were about 1556 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the biological & biomedical sciences program earn an average of $33,208 in their early career salary.
University of California - San Diego (UCSD): Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California. There were approximately 1987.9999999999998 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent year we have data available. Those biological & biomedical sciences students who get their degree from University of California - San Diego earn $4,314 more than the average biological & biomedical sciences graduate.
Dartmouth College: Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #12 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Dartmouth is a great college overall. There were roughly 143 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the biological & biomedical sciences program make an average of $38,505 for their early career.
University of Washington - Seattle Campus: UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the city of Seattle. This university ranks 1st out of 50 schools for overall quality in the state of Washington. There were approximately 1308 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients usually make around $37,495 in the first five years of their career.
University of Rochester: University of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Rochester. This university ranks 8th out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York. There were about 298 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the biological & biomedical sciences program make about $34,390 in their early career salary.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC): UIUC is a very large public university located in the city of Champaign. This university ranks 3rd out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois. There were approximately 589 biological & biomedical sciences students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients usually make an average of $29,913 in their early careers.
Northwestern University: Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall. There were approximately 415.99999999999994…

Factors to Consider When Choosing a University

Choosing the best university for biological sciences depends on individual preferences and career goals. Some key factors to consider include:

Research Opportunities: Look for universities with robust undergraduate research programs, offering opportunities to work alongside faculty members on cutting-edge projects.
Faculty Expertise: Research the faculty in your areas of interest. Established leaders in their fields can provide invaluable mentorship and guidance.
Class Size and Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Smaller class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio can enhance the learning experience, allowing for more personalized attention.
Location: Consider the location of the university and whether it aligns with your personal and professional preferences.
Career Services: Explore the university's career services and alumni network to understand the potential career paths and opportunities available to graduates.
Program Specialization: The best universities for biology may be different from the best environmental science colleges. Similarly, there are many different biology majors at the best universities for biology.

Career Paths for Biological Sciences Graduates

A degree in biological sciences opens doors to a wide range of career paths, including:

Research Scientist: Conduct research in academic, government, or industry settings to advance scientific knowledge.
Healthcare Professional: Pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or other allied health fields.
Environmental Scientist: Work to protect the environment and address environmental challenges.
Biotechnology: Develop and commercialize new technologies and products in the biotechnology industry.
Science Educator: Teach science at the secondary or post-secondary level.
Science Writer: Communicate scientific information to the public through writing and other media.

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Top Universities for Biological Sciences: A Comprehensive Guide

Methodology