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What can you do with a Biology degree?

First, some facts. Of the Biology graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 8468 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 68%, Biology graduates have a slightly higher likelihood (+1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 68%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 54% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Biology graduate.

See the details:

View a random Biology graduate and our analysis:

Relevance score: 0%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from Furman University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Volunteer Assistant Volleyball Coach
Furman University
Aug 2018 - Nov 2018
The role of Volunteer Assistant Volleyball Coach does not require any biological knowledge or skills from the degree in Biology, making it unrelated to the field of study.

Athletic Development and Paladin Club Fellowship
Furman University
Nov 2018 - Dec 2018
The Athletic Development and Paladin Club Fellowship may involve some understanding of human biology and athletic performance, but it is not directly centered on core biological qualifications.

Account Support Representative
Clinical Computer Systems Inc.
Jan 2019 - Aug 2019
As an Account Support Representative, the job does not utilize any biology-specific skills or knowledge, focusing instead on customer support and account management.

Regional Sales Manager
Clinical Computer Systems Inc.
Aug 2019 - Mar 2023
The position of Regional Sales Manager does not involve biological expertise, relying primarily on sales and management skills unrelated to the Biology degree.

Senior Account Executive
Bluesight
Mar 2023 - Present
The role of Senior Account Executive at Bluesight also requires skills in sales and account management rather than biology-related knowledge or skills.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master's degree
University of East London
2017 - 2018
ABOUT

I am a customer service focused professional working on positively impacting the healthcare industry. Over the years, I have gained valuable experience in leading teams to success. I have experience working with Clinical Directors, Nurse Managers, Clinicians, IT Directors/Managers, Biomedical Engineers, and the C-suite. I am passionate about providing people hope and advancing healthcare. Because of this, I choose to volunteer and support Be The Match and Carter Blood Care to help provide lifesaving treatments for those in need.

What jobs can you get with a Biology degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

The job market for individuals who have completed a degree in Biology shows a broad range of occupations, reflecting both the diverse applications of biological knowledge and the variety of professional paths available to graduates. Upon analyzing numerous LinkedIn profiles of Biology graduates, certain trends in employment emerge, along with an assessment of how relevant those jobs are to their academic background.

One of the most common job categories for Biology graduates is healthcare-related roles, particularly in positions like Medical Assistants, Physician Assistants, and Nursing roles. These jobs generally require a significant understanding of biological and physiological principles, making them highly relevant to the degree. Many individuals transition from research or clinical internship roles into these healthcare positions, indicating a strong correlation between their educational background and their career paths.

Another notable trend is the presence of roles within research and laboratory settings. Positions like Research Assistants, Lab Technicians, and Clinical Researchers are frequently held by Biology graduates. These jobs typically engage biological principles in practical applications, thus showcasing high relevance to their degrees. The roles often involve the application of scientific methods and heavy interaction with biological data, which aligns closely with the skills and knowledge obtained during their studies.

Interestingly, there are also a considerable number of graduates finding employment in completely unrelated fields such as sales, management, and administrative roles. Positions like Client Services Representatives, Retail Managers, and even in real estate are prevalent. While some of these roles might require skills like analytical thinking or problem-solving, the direct application of biological knowledge is minimal to nonexistent in these positions, indicating a detachment from their primary educational focus.

On the whole, the relevance of jobs to a Biology degree varies considerably across different fields. Those in the life sciences, healthcare, and research domains tend to find roles that closely align with their educational background. However, the flexibility of a Biology degree allows graduates to branch into various other sectors, sometimes at the risk of not utilizing their specialized knowledge fully. This broad spectrum of job relevance illustrates both the strengths and challenges faced by Biology graduates in today's job market.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Biology graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Biology graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

The career trajectories of biology graduates from various universities present a mixed bag of outcomes. For some, the path post-graduation appears quite promising, often leading to roles that are closely aligned with their degrees. In contrast, others have found themselves in less direct paths, often taking positions that only tenuously connect to the biological sciences they studied. The first jobs after graduation tend to reflect a blend of internship roles, entry-level positions, or more specialized jobs in fields such as healthcare or laboratory sciences. As they progress five or ten years down the line, there is a noticeable trend toward higher-level positions, leadership roles, or specialized fields within their areas of interest.

For many graduates, the initial position after graduating is often an internship or a lab technician role, particularly for fields directly related to biology, such as microbiology or environmental science. For example, several graduates from universities such as UC Irvine, Texas A&M, and Florida State University began their careers as research assistants or laboratory technicians. These roles help establish practical experience and build a foundation in their field. As they move forward in their careers, there's a clear pattern where these individuals transition into more established roles, such as lab managers, clinical researchers, or senior scientists, often requiring advanced degrees or specialized training.

On the other hand, some graduates pursued careers that seem less connected to biology, such as sales, marketing, or administrative roles. For instance, there are graduates who transitioned into real estate or customer service, demonstrating that a biology degree doesn't anchor one into the science industry alone. This diversification in career trajectories may reflect their personal interests or the job market conditions at their time of graduation. Five or ten years post-graduation, it becomes evident that while some alumni have advanced within biological fields, others have successfully climbed the corporate ladders or made career shifts entirely unrelated to biology. Ultimately, the landscape is a blend of success stories relevant to their biology education, alongside others who have found fulfillment in wildly different realms.

How hard is a Biology degree?

A Bachelor's degree in Biology can be pretty challenging, especially if you're not totally into science or math. You’ll have to deal with a lot of memorization—like learning all those scientific names and processes—plus you’ll hit the labs, which can get a bit intense with all the experiments and data analysis. It’s definitely more demanding than some other majors because of the depth and breadth of material you cover, but if you love living things and are curious about how everything works, it can be really rewarding. Just be ready to put in the effort, and don’t underestimate the workload!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Biology.

Do Biology graduates tend to make good money?

So, when you look at the job histories of these Biology grads, it’s pretty clear that some have done well for themselves financially, while others haven’t quite reached those heights yet. The graduates who have snagged positions as medical professionals (like doctors, physician assistants, and pharmacists) usually find themselves in higher-paying roles compared to those who started as entry-level technicians or educators. For example, graduates who went straight into positions like pharmacists or medical doctors can expect salaries that are significantly above average, often ranging into the six-figure territory, especially as they gain more experience. Meanwhile, others, particularly those working in teaching or internships, might struggle with lower average salaries, especially if they're in their early-career roles. Overall, the field you're breaking into and the specific paths chosen can heavily influence earnings.

Moreover, there's a noticeable trend where individuals with advanced degrees, such as those acquiring roles in research or specialized medical fields, tend to earn better. Those who stay in a job for a longer period or rise through the ranks in organizations also often see salary increases, which can make a substantial difference in their overall income over the years. For instance, someone moving from an entry-level lab technician to a senior research associate or even a manager can see significant pay raises as they gain experience and expertise. In a nutshell, while some of these grads are likely making decent money, others might still be on the path to reach that point based on their job choices and career progression.

What buzzwords do Biology graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Biology. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Biology?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Biology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Biology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
American University of Beirut 95 10
Luther College 90 11
Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick 87 11
The College of New Jersey 86 13
Tufts University 86 17
Saint Louis University 86 11
Saint Joseph's University 86 10
Brandeis University 86 14
California State University-Los Angeles 85 12
Temple University 83 20
University of Pittsburgh 82 32
George Mason University 82 31
Boston University 82 12
University of Maryland 82 15
Wake Forest University 82 16
Seton Hall University 82 19
Texas Tech University 81 18
Illinois State University 81 13
Case Western Reserve University 81 12
University of Oregon 80 13
Cornell University 80 38
California State University, Fresno 80 11
University of Maryland Baltimore County 80 25
Washington University in St. Louis 80 13
California State University Channel Islands 80 11
Muhlenberg College 80 11
University of Scranton 80 11
University of Florida 79 67
Northeastern University 79 31
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 79 19
Georgia Institute of Technology 79 11
Boston College 79 23
University of Oklahoma 78 11
University of Alabama 78 16
Carleton College 78 11
University of Missouri-Columbia 77 29
University of Delaware 77 22
University of California, Santa Cruz 77 19
Providence College 77 11
Oberlin College 77 12
Iowa State University 76 17
University of Virginia 76 30
University of Massachusetts Amherst 76 18
Northwestern University 76 11
Kean University 76 13
Loyola University Chicago 76 25
William & Mary 76 19
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 76 18
Butler University 76 10
The University of Georgia 75 44
UC Irvine 75 56
University of New Hampshire 75 10
Drexel University 75 13
University of Louisiana at Lafayette 75 13
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 75 18
Binghamton University 75 24
The University of New Mexico 75 14
Wright State University 75 13
UC San Diego 75 13
Gustavus Adolphus College 75 10
Grand Valley State University 74 14
Miami University 74 10
University of North Florida 74 17
UC Santa Barbara 74 27
Rutgers University 74 18
Duke University 74 23
St. Olaf College 74 14
The University of Texas-Pan American 74 10
Davidson College 74 17
Ohio University 73 14
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 73 18
Towson University 73 14
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 73 60
The University of Texas at San Antonio 73 28
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 73 23
University of Illinois at Chicago 73 32
University of California San Diego 73 11
Stockton University 73 16
University of St. Thomas 73 12
University of Portland 73 15
University of Houston 72 39
San Diego State University 72 16
East Carolina University 72 22
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 72 20
Syracuse University 72 13
Wayne State University 72 20
University of Miami 72 15
University of Massachusetts Lowell 72 12
University at Albany, SUNY 72 12
Hunter College 72 10
University of San Francisco 72 10
University of Missouri-Kansas City 72 12
SUNY Oneonta 72 11
Fairleigh Dickinson University 72 15
Florida State University 71 54
James Madison University 71 40
California State University-Sacramento 71 13
University of Cincinnati 71 24
Oklahoma State University 71 15
West Virginia University 71 19
The University of Alabama 71 16
University of Vermont 71 17
University of Notre Dame 71 10
University of North Carolina at Wilmington 71 26
University of California, Irvine 71 38
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 71 12
University of Nevada, Reno 71 15
University of Maine 71 14
University of San Diego 71 11
Williams College 71 12
Indiana University Bloomington 70 31
University of Arkansas 70 25
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 70 12
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 70 26
Radford University 70 10
University of Washington Bothell 70 11
University of Wisconsin-Madison 69 54
Virginia Tech 69 16
The University of Texas at Dallas 69 32
Montclair State University 69 17
Rowan University 69 19
University of California, Santa Barbara 69 18
Texas Christian University 69 14
SUNY Geneseo 69 13
Texas A&M University 68 44
University of Utah 68 18
Mississippi State University 68 14
California State University San Marcos 68 11
Salisbury University 68 13
Valdosta State University 68 15
Xavier University 68 11
Smith College 68 10
Willamette University 68 13
The Ohio State University 67 49
University of California, Los Angeles 67 46
Kent State University 67 10
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 67 14
University of California, Riverside 67 59
Kennesaw State University 67 21
University at Buffalo 67 22
University of Minnesota 67 12
Boise State University 67 10
Metropolitan State University of Denver 67 15
Villanova University 67 14
Stanford University 67 11
Campbell University 67 12
Pacific Lutheran University 67 13
University of Michigan 66 14
Clemson University 66 37
University of Iowa 66 10
University of South Carolina 66 23
Nova Southeastern University 66 26
University of Georgia - Franklin College of Arts and Sciences 66 24
State University of New York College at Geneseo 66 15
The University of Texas at Austin 65 49
University of North Texas 65 43
Georgia State University 65 39
University of Connecticut 65 22
College of Charleston 65 18
University of Pennsylvania 65 10
Brown University 65 10
University of North Carolina Wilmington 65 10
University of Illinois Chicago 65 17
Florida Atlantic University 64 44
Northern Arizona University 64 17
Ball State University 64 18
The University of Akron 64 10
University of Alabama at Birmingham 64 16
Emory University 64 18
Truman State University 64 12
Penn State University 63 39
Arizona State University 63 49
Colorado State University 63 29
University of Rhode Island 63 20
University of West Georgia 63 12
Jackson State University 63 13
University of Washington 62 51
Florida International University 62 59
Louisiana State University 62 33
Baylor University 62 29
North Carolina State University 61 28
Virginia Commonwealth University 61 49
Loyola Marymount University 61 12
St. Mary's College of Maryland 61 13
University of California, Davis 60 45
The University of Texas at Arlington 60 41
St. John's University 60 25
Texas State University 59 19
University of Mississippi 59 16
Marshall University 59 10
Purdue University 58 13
New York University 58 13
University of Kentucky 58 26
Old Dominion University 58 21
University of Colorado Denver 58 26
Texas Woman's University 58 14
Dillard University 58 10
San Francisco State University 57 10
Washington State University 57 18
Georgia Southern University 57 25
University of Central Florida 56 34
University of South Florida 56 12
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 56 11
Howard University 56 27
Randolph-Macon College 56 10
Northern Illinois University 55 16
Grand Canyon University 54 14
Bowling Green State University 54 11
University of Hawaii at Manoa 54 16
University of Southern California 53 15
Central Connecticut State University 53 12
Oregon State University 52 13
Oakland University 52 18
University of Nebraska at Omaha 52 11
Christopher Newport University 52 11
San Diego State University-California State University 51 15
University of California, San Diego 51 21
New Mexico State University 51 13
Winthrop University 51 10
Eckerd College 50 10
Saint Peter's University 50 10
Stony Brook University 48 24
Texas Southern University 48 10
Francis Marion University 48 11
The Citadel 47 10
Spelman College 47 12
Southeastern Louisiana University 42 10
University of Louisville 37 11