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What can you do with a Biology degree from Virginia Tech?

First, some facts. Of the Biology graduates from Virginia Tech 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? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Biology graduates from Virginia Tech have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 69%
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, 75% 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 from Virginia Tech and our analysis:

Relevance score: 0%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Student Assistant
Radford University
Dec 2018 - Dec 2020
The position of Student Assistant at Radford University does not require any specific biology skills or knowledge and is primarily administrative in nature, making it unrelated to the Bachelor's degree in Biology.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master's degree
Radford University
2016 - 2018
ABOUT

I worked in food industry for a bit after graduating but also was attempting a degree in online at Virignia tech. I have experience in Java, C, ADA, can learn any programming on the spot etc..

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

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

When looking at the types of jobs that people with a Biology degree from Virginia Tech have landed, it looks like there's a mixed bag. A significant number of graduates have gone into roles like Research Scientist, teaching positions, and various technician jobs in fields like veterinary medicine and environmental science. These roles are generally pretty relevant to their biology education because they require a solid understanding of biological concepts and practical application of their knowledge. For instance, many have found themselves in research labs or as educators, both of which directly make use of what they learned during their studies.

However, it’s important to note that not all jobs are closely tied to biology. Some graduates have veered off into positions that are more administrative or unrelated, like software engineering or management roles, which don't utilize their biology knowledge in any significant way. For instance, some went on to work as software engineers or in other technology-focused roles where their biology education might not be directly applicable. So while many have successfully integrated their degree into their careers, others have branched out in ways that stray from the core of what they studied. Overall, it seems like there’s a balance, with a strong portion of students finding relevant jobs but also a noticeable number moving into entirely different fields.”

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 Tech):

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

From what I can see, graduates with a Biology degree from Virginia Tech tend to kick off their careers in a variety of science-related fields, especially in research and clinical settings. For instance, many of the older grads, like those from 2010 and 2014, have landed solid positions as research scientists or have taken up teaching roles at universities. This indicates a trend toward academia or research facilities right after graduation, which is a great path for those interested in advancing their scientific knowledge and contributing to new discoveries. If you look at their career progression, many have been able to climb the ladder in their respective fields over five to ten years, landing roles with more responsibility, such as Senior Research Scientist or Clinical Microbiologist. This speaks volumes about the kind of foundational skills and experiences they gained at Virginia Tech that set them up for success.

However, not everyone seems to be on such a straightforward path. Some grads are veering into careers that might not align perfectly with their Biology education after a few years. For example, a few recent graduates have taken jobs in completely different areas, like technical support or veterinary medicine, which, while somewhat related, don’t always utilize the full extent of their Biology training. It's also common to see some folks dip into roles like behavioral health or teaching, which vary significantly depending on individual interests and career aspirations. Overall, while many graduates are doing meaningful work related to their degrees, others appear to be finding their way in more eclectic paths—some successful, and others perhaps less so in terms of direct relevance to Biology. So, it really highlights the wide range of opportunities out there and how some folks might pivot from their original goals over time.

How hard is a Biology degree from Virginia Tech?

Getting a Bachelor's degree in Biology at Virginia Tech or anywhere else can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and how much effort you’re willing to put in. You'll be diving into a lot of complex topics like genetics, ecology, and biochemistry, and there’s definitely a good amount of memorization involved. Labs can be time-consuming too, as they require both precision and a good grasp of theory. If you like science and have a genuine interest in understanding living organisms, you might find it rewarding and manageable. But if you're not into studying hard or the subject matter, it could feel pretty tough. Overall, it’s harder than some easier majors but not the toughest out there either—just be ready to hit the books!

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 Tech tend to make good money?

Looking at this group of Virginia Tech biology grads, it seems like they're kind of all over the place when it comes to money. The one who graduated in 2010 has climbed up the ladder in a research role and could be making decent cash now, but others seem to be bouncing around in more entry-level or part-time gigs, like teaching or veterinary tech roles, which might not pay as well. The 2017 grad that switched to software engineering is probably raking it in compared to their bio peers, since tech jobs usually pay more. Overall, it looks like some are doing pretty well while others are still finding their footing with their earnings. It’s a mixed bag!

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 Tech). 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