The biology degree provides students with knowledge in diverse fields, some of which include environmental science and evolution.

Degree Benefits:

  • A wide range of vocational opportunities (education, prosthetic design, pharmacology, etc.)
  • Competitive salaries (for example, Biophysicists and Biochemists generate an annual income of $94,270*)
  • Ability to pursue an advanced degree

Career Options Include:

  • Forensic Scientist
  • Geographer
  • Hydrologist
  • Zoologist

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Biochemists and Biophysicists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biochemists-and-biophysicists.htm (visited March 24, 2022).

Find an online bachelor's or master's degree:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What you need to understand about online or campus learning is that the amount of time it takes to complete courses entirely depends on your commitment to studying.


A typical bachelor's degree requires 120 to 129 credits to complete the course, which can take around 4 years for full-time students. Students that already have an associates degree, could complete this within 2 years depending on the amount of courses and classes they take each semester. Online training usually takes 4 years but can take up to 7 years since most students only study part-time. In fact, most online schools have a time limit to complete programs, where they give you 7 years to complete the program and if you don't finish in that time you will lose credits earned toward your degree.


Another example is studying for a master's degree full-time on campus can take 2 years to complete, where studying online for the same course can take 3 to 4 years depending on how many courses you complete each semester. However, you should also be aware that, if you devote more time to studying than most on-campus students; if you complete courses during the summer and maintain a full course load each year, you will be able to finish your degree in less than 4 years.

Before choosing a major there are some important facts you should know about.


It is important to align your career goals with the school and program that you select. If you wish to enter a field like Biology, then you should select a school that offers coursework in Biology. Further, you can look for schools that provide hands-on experiences like internships and projects with real-world companies.

The two most prominent types of bachelor levels in Biology are: Bachelor of Arts degree (BA degree) and a Bachelor of Science degree (BS degree). A BA degree normally requires pupils to take fewer concentration courses as well as to focus more on discovering about Biology. These students have a little bit more flexibility when it pertains to customizing their education to meet their occupation objectives as well as goals.


The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, on the other hand, is much less concentrated on exploration and even more targeted to a specific focus. Bachelor of Science students, usually, focus specifically on the area of their major and have a tendency to be more career focused. Bachelor's degrees in the clinical field, for example, are most likely to be a Bachelor of Science degree. You can find some sample classes for a Bachelor of Science in Biology below:

  • Chemical Biology: Organic Molecules
  • Chemical Biology: Analytical Methods for Biology
  • Chemical Biology: Biomolecules
  • General Botany
  • General Zoology
  • Statistical Biology
  • General Physiology
  • Biophysics

If you're concerned about the specific graduation rate at each school you're most interested in, the Office of Institutional Research at each university should have that information. Nationwide, only 41% of university students finish within the four year timetable. The remaining 59% tend to stay in school for five years or more.


This can get very expensive. Students have to pay for additional terms of tuition. Universities and colleges may also penalize students who are taking too long to graduate. So, you need to have a plan that enables you to graduate within four to six years. See an advisor for your major every semester. Take the classes that they tell you are required. Try to take more than just the 12 minimum full-time credits per semester—instead, take 15; if you don't have to work more than 10 to 15 hours a week, try to take 18 credits. Take summer classes to get ahead (or catch up if you fail a class).


Don't change majors too often. If you're not sure of your major, take just your general education credits and try a few majors you're interested in—take an introductory class for each major and find the one that fits you best.

Accreditation is a very important facet of your career since, if the college you attend is accredited by a reputable association, the Biology degree you earn from that college will have more value and some employers include this information when evaluating you for employment.


The reason why accreditation is so important is that, without it, it's hard to determine what kind of standards the training programs hold and if they are up to date with technology and innovation.


A college gets accredited voluntarily by an association of their choice. The association will interview and inspect the college thoroughly to see if they meet their standards of everything from cleanliness to academics and, if the college passes the inspection, the association puts their stamp on them as an assurance that they meet all their requirements.


Employers today want only the best of the best working for them. Some businesses are even willing to pay for the education of potential candidates. So, when it comes to degrees, most employers look at the accreditor of the school you earned your degree from, since this says a lot about the kind of education you acquired. If an employer is willing to go so far as to pay for a student's education, imagine what kind of salary they will offer to those holding a degree from a highly reputable association.

How much a Biology bachelor's degree costs depends upon the school and the state. An associate's degree at a community college may cost roughly $7,500, while an associate's degree from a private college may cost $14,500 or more. A bachelor's degree in Biology may range from approximately $40,000 for four years for in-state residents at a public university, and $140,000 or more for students attending private colleges. Online school tuition also varies, but students do not have to pay for housing, meals or transportation, and costs are generally lower because online classes cost less for a college or university to operate. To determine the actual costs of your education, perform a budget analysis and investigate all the costs involved with earning a degree in Biology at a school you wish to attend.

We recommend that students make a specific inquiry about job placement assistance programs at any school they consider for a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree program. Advanced institutions incorporate career planning into the two or four-year course of study for a bachelor's or master's degree in Biology. The school may host job fairs, business community awareness communications, and host interviews for employers from across the region.


The school of Biology, college, or university is a broad community of alumni, business sponsors, and corporate partners. Both new and established schools often have extensive local, regional, and national networks. The overall resources of the Biology school and the larger schools can potentially assist in producing high levels of job opportunities and hires for recent graduates.


Some schools pair students with advisers, career counselors, and job coaches at various stages of their academic careers. Observers can see the results in annual satisfaction surveys, and the numbers of students that get interviews and offers of employment.