Human Biology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Human Biology is an integrative academic field that explores the human organism through the lenses of biological science, social inquiry, and philosophical reflection. This program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of human life, from cellular processes to societal implications, preparing them to engage with pressing global challenges at the intersection of science and society.
- Human Anatomy and Physiology: In-depth study of the structure and function of human body systems, emphasizing how biological mechanisms support life and health.
- Genetics and Molecular Biology: Exploration of heredity, gene expression, and molecular processes that underlie human development, disease, and evolution.
- Evolutionary Biology: Analysis of human origins, adaptation, and biological change over time, grounded in scientific evidence and comparative analysis.
- Public Health and Epidemiology: Examination of disease patterns, health disparities, and population-level strategies for prevention and intervention.
- Bioethics and Biopolitics: Critical evaluation of moral, legal, and societal questions arising from advances in medicine, genetic engineering, and healthcare policy.
- Environmental Health Sciences: Investigation of how environmental factors—including pollution, climate change, and resource use—affect human health and biological systems.
- Human Behavior and Social Context: Integration of psychological, cultural, and sociological perspectives to understand how social structures influence biological outcomes and health behaviors.
Human Biology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Human Biology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Human Biology degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other and Biological 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 276,410 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 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other 19-3099 | $100,340 | $62,570 - $160,810 | 36,970 | $48.24 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other 19-1029 | $93,330 | $54,500 - $159,780 | 59,710 | $44.87 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042 | $83,460 | $50,760 - $169,560 | 53,250 | N/A |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other 25-1069 | $75,040 | $45,280 - $176,350 | 17,540 | N/A |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists 19-3091 | $64,910 | $44,510 - $104,510 | 8,070 | $31.21 |
Human Biology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $67,390 in Louisiana to $121,392 in California—a 80% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 276,410 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 Human Biology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 37 institutions offering Human Biology 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 Human Biology is found at CUNY Hunter College (422 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (282 graduates), University at Albany (UAlbany) (235 graduates), University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (233 graduates), and University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (146 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,206 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
|
422 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
282 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Bachelor's
|
235 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
233 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
146 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
|
133 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
|
119 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
|
100 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Cornell University |
Bachelor's
|
100 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWGB) |
Bachelor's
|
72 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | uwgb.edu |
| National University (NU) |
Associate's
|
71 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Brown University |
Bachelor's
|
55 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Liberty University |
Master's
|
33 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Bloomington, Minnesota | Private | nwhealth.edu |
| College of Western Idaho (CWI) |
Associate's
|
15 | Nampa, Idaho | Public | cwi.edu |
| University of Indianapolis (UIndy) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | uindy.edu |
| Saint Leo University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Saint Leo, Florida | Private | saintleo.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Hamline University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | hamline.edu |
| Morgan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | morgan.edu |
| St Bonaventure University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Saint Bonaventure, New York | Private | sbu.edu |
| Pitzer College (PZ) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Claremont, California | Private | pitzer.edu |
| Scripps College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Claremont, California | Private | scrippscollege.edu |
| Sterling College (SC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Sterling, Kansas | Private | sterling.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| Baker University (BU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Baldwin City, Kansas | Private | bakeru.edu |
| College of Saint Mary (CSM) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | csm.edu |
| American International College (AIC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | aic.edu |
| Claremont McKenna College (CMC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Claremont, California | Private | cmc.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Bastyr University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Kenmore, Washington | Private | bastyr.edu |
| Harding University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Searcy, Arkansas | Private | harding.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Human Biology programs
How much can I earn with a Human Biology degree?
Salaries for Human Biology graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other earn around $100,340. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $121,392 compared to $67,390 in Louisiana. Approximately 276,410 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 Human Biology programs?
Currently 37 accredited institutions offer Human Biology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include CUNY Hunter College (422 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (282 graduates), and University at Albany (UAlbany) (235 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 Human Biology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 551 in 2010 to 2,206 in 2023-24. This represents a 300% 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 Human Biology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other, and Biological Scientists, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 276,410 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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