Biological and Biomedical Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Biological and Biomedical Sciences encompasses a broad spectrum of advanced academic inquiry focused on living systems, molecular mechanisms, and the application of biological principles to human health and disease. This multidisciplinary field integrates foundational science with cutting-edge research to explore the complexities of life at cellular, genetic, and organismal levels.
- Genetics and Genomics: Investigation into the structure, function, and inheritance of genes, including the analysis of DNA sequences and their role in development, disease, and evolution.
- Cell Biology: Study of cellular structure, function, and processes such as division, signaling, and metabolism, forming the basis for understanding both normal physiology and pathological conditions.
- Microbiology: Exploration of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, with emphasis on their roles in health, disease, and environmental systems.
- Physiology: Examination of the mechanical, biochemical, and physical functions of living organisms and their parts, particularly in relation to homeostasis and organ system interactions.
- Neuroscience: Scientific analysis of the nervous system, covering neural development, brain function, sensory processing, and the biological underpinnings of behavior and cognition.
- Immunology: In-depth study of the immune system’s mechanisms, including defense responses, immune memory, and the pathogenesis of autoimmune and infectious diseases.
- Biochemistry: Application of chemical principles to biological processes, focusing on the molecular interactions of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.
- Biomedical Research Methods: Training in experimental design, data analysis, laboratory techniques, and ethical considerations essential for advancing scientific discovery in health-related fields.
Biological and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Biological and Biomedical Sciences degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Biological Scientists, All Other and Life Scientists, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 221,150 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other 19-1029 | $93,330 | $54,500 - $159,780 | 59,710 | $44.87 |
| Life Scientists, All Other 19-1099 | $87,800 | $52,360 - $168,860 | 7,320 | $42.21 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042 | $83,460 | $50,760 - $169,560 | 53,250 | N/A |
Biological and Biomedical Sciences Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $74,810 in Louisiana to $142,633 in California—a 91% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 221,150 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Biological and Biomedical Sciences by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Biological and Biomedical Sciences programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Biological and Biomedical Sciences is found at University of Florida (UF) (384 graduates), Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (351 graduates), Ventura College (221 graduates), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (178 graduates), and Solano Community College (169 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,540 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida (UF) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
384 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
351 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Ventura College |
Associate's
|
221 | Ventura, California | Public | venturacollege.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
|
178 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Solano Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
169 | Fairfield, California | Public | welcome.solano.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
169 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
167 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| University of Western States (UWS) |
Bachelor's
|
149 | Portland, Oregon | Private | uws.edu |
| Barry University |
Master's
|
144 | Miami, Florida | Private | barry.edu |
| Chabot College (CC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
139 | Hayward, California | Public | chabotcollege.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
|
132 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Other Award
|
114 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| Liberty University |
Master's
|
114 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| University of New Haven (UNH) |
Master's
|
104 | West Haven, Connecticut | Private | newhaven.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
87 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRAg) |
Bachelor's
|
86 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | Public | uprag.edu |
| Drexel University |
Master's
|
84 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Cornell University |
Bachelor's
|
83 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Master's
|
81 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| Kiamichi Technology Center (KTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
81 | McAlester, Oklahoma | Public | ktc.edu |
| Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) |
Master's
|
72 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | psm.edu |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
69 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unmc.edu |
| Seminole State College |
Associate's
|
68 | Seminole, Oklahoma | Public | sscok.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Master's
|
66 | University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRB) |
Bachelor's
|
52 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Public | uprb.edu |
| Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) |
Master's
|
48 | North Chicago, Illinois | Private | rosalindfranklin.edu |
| Contra Costa College (CCC) |
Other Award
|
47 | San Pablo, California | Public | contracosta.edu |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) |
Associate's
|
46 | Perkinston, Mississippi | Public | mgccc.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Master's
|
45 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| A T Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) |
Master's
|
43 | Kirksville, Missouri | Private | atsu.edu |
| California State University (CSUB) |
Bachelor's
|
42 | Bakersfield, California | Public | csub.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
38 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| Ponce Health Sciences University |
Master's
|
37 | Santurce, Puerto Rico | Private | psm.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Master's
|
36 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
35 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
32 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) |
Master's
|
27 | Fort Smith, Arkansas | Private | achehealth.edu |
| Ponce Health Sciences University |
Master's
|
27 | St. Louis, Missouri | Private | stlouis.psm.edu |
| University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Adelphi, Maryland | Public | umgc.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
23 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Albany, New York | Private | acphs.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Rush University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | rushu.rush.edu |
| Yeshiva University (YU) |
Master's
|
19 | New York, New York | Private | yu.edu |
| Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | University Center, Michigan | Public | svsu.edu |
| Siena College |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Loudonville, New York | Private | siena.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Public | lehighvalley.psu.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Indiana University (IUE) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Richmond, Indiana | Public | iue.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) |
Master's
|
14 | Harrogate, Tennessee | Private | lmunet.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
14 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Saint Xavier University (SXU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | sxu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Middletown, Pennsylvania | Public | harrisburg.psu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | McKeesport, Pennsylvania | Public | greaterallegheny.psu.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
13 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Associate's
|
12 | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| Albany Medical College (AMC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Albany, New York | Private | amc.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
|
12 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Union College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Schenectady, New York | Private | union.edu |
| Cumberland University (CU) |
Associate's
|
12 | Lebanon, Tennessee | Private | cumberland.edu |
| Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Houston, Texas | Private | bcm.edu |
| Delaware State University (DSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Dover, Delaware | Public | desu.edu |
| Harvard University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Springfield College |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | springfield.edu |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | uams.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
|
9 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMD) |
Master's
|
9 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | d.umn.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | evms.edu |
| Fresno Pacific University (FPU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Fresno, California | Private | fresno.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Master's
|
8 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College (MassBay) |
Associate's
|
8 | Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts | Public | massbay.edu |
| North Carolina Central University (NCCU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Durham, North Carolina | Public | nccu.edu |
| Stanford University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Wilmington College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Wilmington, Ohio | Private | wilmington.edu |
| Meharry Medical College |
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | mmc.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) |
Master's
|
6 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | msm.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Master's
|
6 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Master's
|
6 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS) |
Master's
|
6 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | medicine.okstate.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | New Kensington, Pennsylvania | Public | newkensington.psu.edu |
| Grinnell College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Grinnell, Iowa | Private | grinnell.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| The Rockefeller University (RU) |
Master's
|
5 | New York, New York | Private | rockefeller.edu |
| Northwest State Community College (NSCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Archbold, Ohio | Public | northweststate.edu |
| Xavier University (XU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | xavier.edu |
| University of South Alabama (USA) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
| Scripps College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Claremont, California | Private | scrippscollege.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Master's
|
4 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Biological and Biomedical Sciences programs
How much can I earn with a Biological and Biomedical Sciences degree?
Salaries for Biological and Biomedical Sciences graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Biological Scientists, All Other earn around $93,330. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $142,633 compared to $74,810 in Louisiana. Approximately 221,150 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Biological and Biomedical Sciences programs?
Currently 135 accredited institutions offer Biological and Biomedical Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Florida (UF) (384 graduates), Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (351 graduates), and Ventura College (221 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Biological and Biomedical Sciences growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,779 in 2010 to 4,612 in 2023-24. This represents a 66% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Biological and Biomedical Sciences degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Biological Scientists, All Other, and Life Scientists, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 221,150 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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