What can you do with a Biology degree from Northern Illinois University?

First, some facts. Of the Biology graduates from Northern Illinois University 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 55%, Biology graduates from Northern Illinois University have a much lower likelihood (-12%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

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

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Also, after graduating, 68% 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:

• What jobs can you get with a Biology degree from Northern Illinois University?
• What do Biology graduates from Northern Illinois University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Biology degree from Northern Illinois University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Biology degree from Northern Illinois University?
• What are the best colleges for Biology?

View a random Biology graduate from Northern Illinois University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 22% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2014 from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Coach Fusion Volleyball Club Jan 2014 - Jun 2014 The role of Coach at Fusion Volleyball Club does not require biological knowledge or skills, focusing instead on sports coaching unrelated to the Bachelor of Science in Biology. Head Volleyball Coach Rampage Volleyball Club Dec 2014 - Jun 2015 Head Volleyball Coach at Rampage Volleyball Club is also centered on sports coaching, which does not utilize the specific knowledge or skills acquired from a biology degree. Animal Care Technician Charles River Laboratories Aug 2014 - Aug 2016 As an Animal Care Technician at Charles River Laboratories, this position directly involves the care of animals, which aligns closely with the biological principles learned during the Bachelor's degree. Special Services Technician Charles River Laboratories Aug 2016 - Aug 2018 The role of Special Services Technician at Charles River Laboratories may involve some biological knowledge, particularly in understanding laboratory protocols, but it is not explicitly a core focus of the job. Nursing Student Marquette University Aug 2018 - May 2020 Being a Nursing Student at Marquette University involves a distinct training path focusing on nursing rather than biology, making it irrelevant to the Bachelor's degree in Biology. Registered Nurse Legacy Healthcare LLC Nov 2020 - Present As a Registered Nurse at Legacy Healthcare LLC, the role requires nursing-specific training and knowledge that is not directly applicable to a Bachelor's degree in Biology. Registered Nurse Advocate Condell Medical Center Sep 2021 - Present The position of Registered Nurse at Advocate Condell Medical Center also focuses on nursing skills and training, which are separate from the core competencies acquired through a Biology degree. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Master of Science - MS Marquette University 2018 - 2020 ABOUT Highly motivated registered nurse eager to apply skills and knowledge within a dynamic health care environment. Compassionate personality nurtures connection with patients in order to provide high quality care to patients and their families. Detail oriented, organized individual with strong critical thinking and clinical decision making skills able to function both independently and part of a multidisciplinary team. Maintains ability to thrive under pressure and time constraints in a fast paced environment. Committed to continuous professional growth in order to provide safe, high quality, holistic, patient-centered evidence-based care.

What jobs can you get with a Biology degree from Northern Illinois University?

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

• Dental Assistant
• Registered Nurse
• Customer Specialist
• Physician Assistant
• Recruiter
• IT Support Technician
• IT Specialist Finance & Administration
• IT Operations Infrastructure Engineer
• Product Support Specialist
• Senior Product Support Specialist

It looks like a mix of jobs come from Northern Illinois University graduates who studied Biology. A lot of them ended up in areas that aren't directly related to biology. Positions like project managers, operations analysts, and even customer service roles tend to focus on skills like management, data analysis, and customer interaction rather than biological sciences. It's interesting to see that while some individuals found their way into roles like medical assistants, nurses, and quality control technicians — which definitely connect back to biology — many others are in completely unrelated fields, like IT, marketing, or even owning a coffee shop.

While there are notable exceptions, such as veterinary technicians and animal care technicians, the overall trend seems to suggest that many graduates aren't leveraging their biology education in their careers. Despite the broad applications of biological knowledge, it appears that numerous graduates opted for careers outside the life sciences, likely due to personal interests or job market demands. In short, although a biology degree can be versatile, many graduates veered towards paths that don't strongly utilize their biological training.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Biology graduates (this is across all Biology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Illinois University):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of biology graduates from Northern Illinois University, it's clear that there's a lot of variety in the paths they've taken. Many of these graduates seem to start off in roles that may not directly align with their degree, such as customer service or administrative positions. For example, graduates from 2013 had jobs like Medical/Office Assistant and Customer Specialist, which suggests that many found positions in related fields but didn’t initially land roles that fully utilized their biology education. As time goes on, though, we see some of these individuals transitioning into more relevant positions, such as Financial Analyst and Quality Assurance Technician, indicating a gradual shift towards careers more closely tied to their studies.

Fast forward five to ten years, and you see a clearer picture of biology alumni finding satisfaction in careers that resonate with their academic backgrounds. For instance, some have become Registered Nurses, Veterinary Technicians, and even higher-level roles like Project Managers. It seems many graduates eventually find a way to connect their initial experiences with more specialized scientific or health-related careers, but it does take a bit of time. While some have veered into unrelated fields—like IT or business—there are also a number of success stories emerging within healthcare and biology-related sectors. So, while the first job right after graduation might not always feel like a perfect match, the longer-term outlook for these biology grads does reveal a trend toward more relevant and fulfilling careers.

How hard is a Biology degree from Northern Illinois University?

Honestly, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Northern Illinois University, or pretty much anywhere, can be a bit of a challenge but also pretty rewarding. The coursework involves a lot of memorization and understanding complex concepts, especially in subjects like genetics, microbiology, and ecology. You’ll likely have your fair share of labs that require both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills. That said, if you're passionate about the subject and willing to put in the effort, it's definitely manageable! Some students find it tougher than other majors due to the intense science focus, but it's all about how much you engage with the material and seek help when needed. So, if you're genuinely interested in biology, you'll probably find the experience both challenging and fascinating.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Biology.

Do Biology graduates from Northern Illinois University tend to make good money?

It looks like some of these Northern Illinois University graduates have landed pretty decent jobs that can bring in a nice income, while others seem to be in more entry-level or lower-paying positions. For example, the Project Manager and Deputy Town Manager roles suggest a solid salary, especially considering their progression and responsibilities. On the flip side, many graduates like those in customer service or entry-level medical positions might not be raking it in as much. It seems like being a nurse or working in financial analysis likely offers a better paycheck compared to roles in coaching or as an animal care technician. Overall, it’s a mixed bag, but a few definitely seem to be doing well for themselves!

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 is across all Biology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Illinois University). 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