Biology studies life and living things, their environments, life cycles, and adaptations. The term "biological sciences" refers to a broad field of study that includes many diverse fields, such as biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, ecology, biological oceanography, evolutionary biology, microbiology, botany, and zoology.
Programs in physical science are available at all levels, from undergraduate to doctoral. Students who graduate with a biology degree have a solid foundation in the living sciences. A biological sciences course will integrate practical and theoretical work with a mix of lectures, seminars, and lab work.
In the United States, graduates of natural science programs can find employment in pharmaceutical research and businesses, including healthcare, veterinary medicine, and biotechnology. Doctoral program graduates are also hired as university instructors.
The tuition fee for a degree in the subject ranges from $20,000 to $76,000 per year. The average salary of a biologist in the USA is $66,000.
Global ranking of some of the top universities in the USA for Science in Biology courses
Check the following table for a list of the best universities in the USA to study biology if you wish to attend one of the top-ranked institutions in the country.
|
Ranking |
Universities/Colleges |
Location |
|
1 |
Harvard University |
Cambridge, United States |
|
2 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Cambridge, United States |
|
4 |
Stanford University |
Stanford, United States |
|
7 |
the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
Berkeley, United States |
|
8 |
the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
San Diego, United States |
|
9 |
the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
Los Angeles, United States |
|
15 |
Cornell University |
Ithaca, United States |
|
19 |
Johns Hopkins University |
Baltimore, United States |
|
=20 |
Princeton University |
Princeton, United States |
|
24 |
University of Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia, United States |
|
=26 |
University of Chicago |
Chicago, United States |
Programs for Bachelor in Science in Biology with tuition fees in the USA
An undergraduate degree in biology in science is offered as a four years program in the USA. The table below lists some of the top universities in the USA offering bachelor’s degrees in the subject.
|
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum (International) |
|
Harvard University |
BS in Molecular and Cell Biology |
$52,659 |
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Bachelor of Science in Biology |
$57,590 |
|
Stanford University |
BS in Biology |
$57,693 $19,231*3 |
|
The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology |
$45,822 $14,796+$31,026 |
|
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
BS in Biology with a Specialization in Bioinformatics |
$48,387 $17,361+$31,026 |
|
BS in General Biology |
||
|
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
BS in Marine Biology |
$44,830 $13,804+$31,026 |
|
BS in Molecular, Cell, and Development Biology |
||
|
Princeton University |
BS in Molecular Biology (Major) |
the $57,410 |
|
The University of Chicago |
BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology (specialization) |
$61,179 |
|
BS in Microbiology |
Academic Requirements
- A high school degree with subjects including physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, English, and social or history.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent
- SAT or ACT scores if required by the university.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 76.
- Duolingo: A minimum overall score of 105.
Programs for Masters of Science in Biology with tuition fees in the USA
A master’s degree in biology in science is offered as a 1 to 2 years program in the USA. The table below lists some of the best universities in the USA offering a postgraduate taught program in Science in Biology or a closely related field.
|
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum (International) |
|
Harvard University |
Master of Science in Computational Biology and Quantitative Genetics |
$50,496 |
|
Stanford University |
MS in Biology (Co-terminal) |
$56,487 $18,829*3 |
|
The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
MS in Metabolic Biology |
$26,802 ($ 5,850+$7,551)*2 |
|
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
MS in Biology, Specializing in the Ecology and Evolution of Medicine |
$26,802 $11,700+$15,102 |
|
MS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology |
||
|
Cornell University |
Evolutionary Biology M.S |
$20,800 |
|
Johns Hopkins University |
Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
$76,200 |
Academic Requirements
- An undergraduate degree in relevant biology coursework with calculus, organic chemistry, physics, genetics, and cell biology from an accredited university.
- GPA score of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- GRE score of 300-309 if asked by the university.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 to 7.0.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 100.
- Duolingo: A minimum overall score of 115.
Programs for Ph.D. in Science in Biology with tuition fees in the USA
Here is a list of top universities in the USA that offer a postgraduate research program in Science in Biology or a closely related field. The course duration for a doctoral program is generally 3 to 5 years.
|
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum (International) |
|
Harvard University |
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences in Public Health |
Full tuition waiver |
|
Stanford University |
Ph.D. in Cell, Molecular, and Organismal Biology |
$56,487 $18,829 *3 |
|
The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
Ph.D. in Metabolic Biology |
Fully funded |
|
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences |
$26,802 $11,700+$15,102 |
|
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology |
$26,802 $11,700+$15,102 |
|
Cornell University |
Molecular and Cell Biology Ph.D. |
$20,800 |
|
Evolutionary Biology Ph.D. |
$20,800 |
|
|
Johns Hopkins University |
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, PhD |
Full tuition waiver |
|
Princeton University |
Molecular Biology, PhD |
57,410 |
|
Ph.D. in Quantitative and Computational Biology |
||
|
University of Pennsylvania |
Cell and Molecular Biology: Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology, PhD |
$39,838 |
|
Cell and Molecular Biology: Cancer Biology, PhD |
$39,838 |
Academic Requirements
- An undergraduate degree with a strong background in the sciences, particularly in chemistry, biochemistry, or biology, from an accredited university.
- A postgraduate master’s degree in the related field with a GPA score of at least of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- GRE score if asked by the university.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 to 7.0.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 100.
- Duolingo: A minimum overall score of 115.
|
Talk to an ExpertTop Science in Biology Universities in the USA: Specializations
Universities in the USA offer plenty of biology specializations, such as:
- Anatomy
- Biophysics
- Cell and molecular biology
- Computational biology
- Ecology and evolution
- Environmental Biology
- Forensic biology
- Genetics
- Marine biology
- Microbiology
- Molecular biosciences
- Natural science
- Neurobiology
- Physiology
- Zoology
Top Science in Biology Universities in the USA: Scholarships
Below is a list of some scholarships available to international students at various American universities.
|
Universities/Colleges |
Scholarship |
Amount |
|
Stanford University |
Stephen Fox Award |
N/A |
|
Charles Yanofsky Prize in Molecular Biology |
N/A |
|
|
The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
Fiat Lux Scholarship |
Min stipend of $1,000 (For researchers) |
|
Berkeley Fellowships |
A stipend of $34,000+ in tuition and supplement fees |
|
|
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
UCLA Alumni Scholarship |
$6,000 to $20,000 |
|
Cornell University |
Cornell Fellowship |
Min. of $30,088 |
|
Assistantships |
Min. of $30,088 |
|
|
University of Chicago |
Financial Support for Graduates |
Min stipend of $35,700 |
|
University Merit Scholarships |
Min. $2,000 |
Top Science in Biology Universities in the USA: Scope
Biology degrees are diverse. Thus, careers for biology graduates are diverse. Biology job opportunities are available in both the public and private sectors.
Job titles
- Clinical Researcher
- Physician Scientist
- Biology Professor
- Lab Tech
- Research Scientist
- Industry Biotechnologist
- Science Policy Analyst/Advocate
- Science Writer/Journalist
- Research Consultant
Top recruiters
- Gilead Sciences
- AbbVie
- Amgen
- Regeneron
- Moderna
- CSL Behring
- Emergent BioSolutions
- FUJIFILM Diosynth Technologies
- Medical Science & Computing (MSC)
Some of the best-paid biological science jobs for new graduates in the USA are:
|
Job Title |
Range |
Average |
|
Research Scientist |
$47k - $104k |
$72,700 |
|
Senior Research Associate |
$61k - $98k |
$76,873 |
|
Research Associate, Biotechnology |
$50k - $77k |
$61,860 |
|
Associate Research Scientist |
$50k - $93k |
$67,899 |
|
Environmental Scientist |
$40k - $72k |
$52,797 |
|
Microbiologist |
$43k - $79k |
$57,467 |
|
Biologist |
$39k - $83k |
$56,343 |
|
Laboratory Manager |
$36k - $80k |
$53,711 |
|
Wildlife Biologist |
$36k - $76k |
$51,999 |
