What can you do with a Biology degree from Virginia Commonwealth University?

First, some facts. Of the Biology graduates from Virginia Commonwealth 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 49 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Biology graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University have a lower likelihood (-6%) 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.

×

Also, after graduating, 40% 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 Virginia Commonwealth University?
• What do Biology graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Biology degree from Virginia Commonwealth University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Biology degree from Virginia Commonwealth University?
• What are the best colleges for Biology?

View a random Biology graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2012 from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Stream Cleaning Volunteer Friends of Accotink Creek Mar 2012 - Apr 2012 The Stream Cleaning Volunteer role does not require specific biological knowledge or skills, focusing instead on environmental service, which is not directly related to a Biology degree. Child Care Provider Rockville, Maryland Private Residence Mar 2012 - Feb 2014 The Child Care Provider position may utilize knowledge about childhood development, which is somewhat related to biology, but it is not a core application of biological sciences. Office Associate Nephrology Associates of Northern Virginia, Inc. Oct 2013 - Oct 2015 The Office Associate position might require some knowledge of biology in terms of patient interaction and basic medical terminology, though it is not a direct application of the degree. COVID-19 Screening Northern Virginia EMS Council, Inc. Jul 2020 - Oct 2020 The COVID-19 Screening role may draw on knowledge related to public health science, which is tangentially connected to biology, but does not directly employ biology skills regularly. Community Health Worker Institute for Public Health Innovation Aug 2020 - Mar 2021 The Community Health Worker position directly utilizes biology knowledge and skills, particularly in understanding health issues and public health strategies, making it highly relevant. Oil Rig EMT RemoteMD Aug 2021 - Dec 2021 The Oil Rig EMT position requires medical emergency skills rather than specific biology knowledge, as it is more focused on emergency response protocols. Volunteer NREMT-Basic Burke Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department Oct 2013 - Feb 2022 The Volunteer NREMT-Basic role may involve some biology-related knowledge in terms of first aid and emergency response, but it does not fundamentally require a biology degree for core qualifications. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Nationally Registered EMT-B Certification Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy 2014 - 2014 Paramedic Associates in Emergency Care 2022 - 2022 Paramedic Associates in Emergency Care 2022 - 2023 ABOUT My objective is to further my level of experience and understanding with respective Emergency Medical Technician care, so that I may become EMT-Advanced/Intermediate certified, and potentially reach EMT-Paramedic certification. Fire Suppression 1 or 2 is also a goal which I will look into fulfilling.

What jobs can you get with a Biology degree from Virginia Commonwealth University?

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

• Emergency Medical Technician
• Assistant Scientist
• Research Assistant
• Scientist
• VCU Consulting Team
• Medical Assistant
• Intern
• Pharmacy Intern
• Senior Scientist
• Warehouse Associate

When looking at the career paths of individuals who graduated with a degree in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University, it’s clear that many have landed jobs that closely relate to their studies. A significant portion of these graduates works in scientific research roles, such as scientists, laboratory technicians, and quality control positions. These jobs typically require the application of core biological principles, lab techniques, and critical thinking skills that are developed during their University education. For instance, positions like Pharmacist Intern, Scientist at Microbac, and various roles at PPD highlight a strong alignment with biology, showing how they directly utilize their knowledge in practical settings dealing with pharmaceuticals, research, and clinical studies.

However, not all paths taken by these graduates are directly tied to biology. Many have ventured into fields that don't use their degree as the main focus, such as positions in compliance, administrative roles, and even some jobs in management or consulting. For example, roles like QA Analyst or Compliance Assistant lean more towards processes and operations rather than biological applications. While these positions may still benefit from skills honed during their biology studies, they often represent a broader spectrum of job functions that aren't directly related to biology. Thus, while many graduates successfully step into biology-relevant careers, there's also a noteworthy overlap into roles that do not heavily leverage their specialized knowledge, showing a mix of direct relevance and broader applicability of their degree in the job market.

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 Virginia Commonwealth University):

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

It looks like graduates with a Biology degree from Virginia Commonwealth University tend to follow some interesting career paths after leaving school. For many of them, their first jobs often relate closely to the life sciences and healthcare fields. Think roles like pharmacist interns, laboratory technicians, and research associates, which provide a solid entry point to gain essential experience in their chosen fields. This trend continues a few years down the line, as many alumni move on to more advanced positions like senior scientists, quality control managers, and even dentists or chiropractors, indicating a clear trajectory toward roles that require specialized knowledge and a higher level of responsibility.

However, not every graduate ends up in a job that’s tightly linked to their biology background. Some take a more unconventional route, ending up in positions unrelated to science or healthcare, like event management or retail. While this suggests that some graduates might struggle to find roles directly in their field, many still seem to pivot into practical or managerial roles that leverage their education in unique ways. Overall, though, a solid number of VCU biology grads appear to be navigating successful careers connected to their studies, potentially setting the foundation for fulfilling professional lives in science and healthcare.

How hard is a Biology degree from Virginia Commonwealth University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Biology can be a mixed bag, and at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), it's generally on the challenging side. You'll be diving deep into subjects like genetics, ecology, and microbiology, which can be pretty intense, especially if you're not super into science already. The labs can be time-consuming, and the exams often require a solid understanding of complex concepts and details. That said, if you're passionate about the subject and willing to put in the effort, it can also be a rewarding experience. Just be ready to hit the books and stay organized, because it's definitely not a walk in the park!

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 from Virginia Commonwealth University tend to make good money?

Looking at these graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University, it seems some have hit the jackpot while others are still grinding through entry-level gigs or internships. For instance, the pharmacists and doctors likely earn pretty good salaries, especially with the experience they’ve gained, while those in quality control or environmental roles might be making decent, but not stellar, pay. It’s normal for recent grads to start at lower wages, but more experienced roles like being a general dentist or a senior scientist probably pay well enough to live comfortably. Overall, it looks like there's a mix: some are stacking cash, while others are probably still figuring things out and climbing the ladder. So, whether they’re making decent money really depends on the specific roles and how long they’ve been in the game!

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 Virginia Commonwealth 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