What can you do with a Biosystems Engineering degree?

First, some facts. Of the Biosystems Engineering 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 92 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 75%, Biosystems Engineering graduates have a higher likelihood (+8%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 75%
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, 45% 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 Biosystems Engineering graduate.

See the details:

View a random Biosystems Engineering graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Engineering - BE in Biosystems Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Project Designer
CEI Engineering Associates, Inc.
Dec 2021 - Sep 2023
As a Project Designer, the role involves utilizing specific skills and knowledge from Biosystems Engineering, particularly in designing and developing projects that address biological systems and their engineering challenges.

Project Engineer
Garver
Oct 2023 - Present
The position of Project Engineer directly applies the principles and practices learned in the Biosystems Engineering program, requiring engineering knowledge related to biological systems on a daily basis.

ABOUT

I recently graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering and a minor in Sustainability. I hope to use this degree to find innovative ways to curb the issues our planet is currently experiencing such as water pollution, the overuse of non-renewable energy sources, and the effects of climate change.

What jobs can you get with a Biosystems Engineering degree?

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


When looking at the career paths of individuals with a degree in Biosystems Engineering, there seems to be a mix of job roles that either align closely with the specialty or veer off into unrelated fields. Most graduates from programs in this area land roles that center around engineering principles applied within biological, environmental, and agricultural contexts—this makes sense as the degree stresses the integration of engineering, biology, and environmental systems. The most common types of jobs for these individuals include positions as research assistants, engineers (especially in environmental and agricultural settings), and roles that specifically apply biosystems principles like project management in water resources or sustainability.

However, as we analyze the job relevance concerning their degrees, we see a spectrum of connections. Many roles, especially those involving research or project management within environmental agencies or academic institutions, directly utilize the core skills learned during their studies. For example, several graduates took positions such as Graduate Research Assistants, Project Engineers, or Environmental Engineers, which clearly align with their education. On the other hand, a notable number of individuals moved into roles that do not require specific biosystems engineering knowledge—such as sales, marketing, or support roles—which raises questions about how effectively the degree translates into the job market for all graduates. Positions like a general dentist or logistical roles may feature some tangential relevance at best but largely take life in a direction far removed from biosystems engineering.

In essence, while many biosystems engineering graduates find their way into fitting roles that demand their specialized skills, a significant number also enter positions that seem a bit disjointed from their academic training. It underscores the importance of pursuing opportunities that directly reflect one's degree and training and highlights options beyond traditional engineering paths, which might not necessarily require the full breadth of what a biosystems engineering education imparts. Moreover, the variability in relevance adds an interesting layer to career discussions, suggesting that graduates need to be strategic about how they leverage their biosystems engineering backgrounds in diverse job markets.

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

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

When looking at the career trajectories of those who graduated with a degree in Biosystems Engineering, it becomes pretty clear that there’s a mix of outcomes, but many of these graduates tend to land jobs that are quite relevant to their field. For instance, many of the recent graduates, often within a year or two, start off as Graduate Research Assistants or interns in environmental or engineering firms. These initial roles, like being a research assistant or an intern at a university or a private company, offer them much-needed experience and help establish a solid foundation in their field. We see this pattern repeated across profiles from schools like Auburn University and Clemson University, where graduates seamlessly move into engineering roles after their internships.

Looking a bit further out, after around five years, many graduates have moved on to more established positions, often working as engineers (like project or environmental engineers) or specialized scientists in various industries. For example, graduates who started as research assistants often pivot into roles that allow them to apply their knowledge actively in real-world settings. However, it’s also worth noting some individuals have veered off onto less traditional paths, like pursuing a career in healthcare or entirely different sectors, which shows that while a Biosystems Engineering degree opens doors, it doesn’t always lock graduates into that specific field. There are those who extend their education further through graduate studies or shift into roles like project management or consultancy, indicating a fair amount of versatility in the career options available.

Overall, it doesn't seem like a degree in Biosystems Engineering leads to major career struggles for most graduates. Rather, many seem to carve out fulfilling paths that utilize their education. However, there are some concerning trends as well, like occasional shifts into unrelated fields or stagnation in less relevant positions. Overall, graduates are generally doing well, but the results are as varied as the paths they choose after graduation. The prospects are relatively solid for those who stick to the engineering or environmental side, while there’s also a fair degree of variability in long-term career satisfaction and relevance. This realization opens the door for potential students to explore not just engineering but also related fields, knowing they can pivot if their interests evolve over time.

How hard is a Biosystems Engineering degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Biosystems Engineering can be pretty challenging, and it's definitely on the tougher side compared to some other majors. You’ll be diving into math, physics, and biological sciences, which requires a solid understanding of complex concepts and problem-solving skills. There’s a lot of hands-on work too, like labs and projects, which can be time-consuming and demand a good amount of teamwork. That said, if you’re passionate about the subject, enjoy science and tech, and are willing to put in the effort, it can also be really rewarding. Just be prepared for some late nights with textbooks and assignments!

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 Biosystems Engineering.

Do Biosystems Engineering graduates tend to make good money?

When looking at the job trajectories of the Biosystems Engineering graduates, it seems like many of them are shaping up to have decent earning potential. For example, the graduate from Auburn University who transitioned from a Graduate Research Assistant to a Staff Engineer at SOLA Environmental in just two years shows a promising career path. Additionally, graduates from Michigan State and The University of Florida have moved into roles like Customer Quality Engineer and Systems Engineer, which are generally well-compensated positions. It really looks like a lot of these individuals are on the right track to solid incomes, especially given that many have positions that typically have upward mobility and good salary prospects.

However, there are exceptions as well; some grads have taken on roles that might not pay as well initially, like internships or assistant positions. For instance, the pharmacist intern from the University of Nebraska seems to be in a long-standing intern role that doesn't necessarily indicate high earnings at this stage. Overall, while there are promising pathways and lucrative opportunities for many of these graduates, it's clear that individual circumstances and specific job roles can greatly influence whether they’re cashing in big or just getting by in the early stages of their careers.

What buzzwords do Biosystems Engineering 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 Biosystems Engineering. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Biosystems Engineering?

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

College Score Count