Missouri·Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations·SOC 19-1029

Best Biological Scientist, All Other programs in Missouri, ranked by enrollment

All biological scientists not listed.

47 schools in Missouri run programs that feed this job, graduating 2,455 people a year. The job pays a median of $63,290 in Missouri across about 1,120 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Also calledBotanistBiologistScientistBioinformaticistMedical GeneticistResearch ScientistMolecular BiologistBioinformatics Scientist
Graduates / yr
2,455
in Missouri
Median pay · Missouri
$63,290
BLS OEWS May 2025
Jobs in state
1,120
people employed
Schools
47
with a feeder program
Avg graduation rate
50%
across those schools
Median net price
$20,482
per year, IPEDS

Fields of study in Missouri that lead to this job

Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.

Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.01
Biology
1,669graduates / yr
44 schools · 1 specialization · 68.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $32,152
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.15
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
249graduates / yr
6 schools · 1 specialization · 10.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,687
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.04
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
155graduates / yr
4 schools · 3 specializations · 6.3% of pipeline
Grad earnings $35,393
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.13
Ecology
71graduates / yr
2 schools · 6 specializations · 2.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $29,460
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.02
Biochemistry
64graduates / yr
2 schools · 3 specializations · 2.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $38,243
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.11
Biomathematics
64graduates / yr
3 schools · 2 specializations · 2.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $72,338
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.99
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
62graduates / yr
3 schools · 1 specialization · 2.5% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,278
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.05
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
39graduates / yr
1 schools · 4 specializations · 1.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $38,383
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.19
Nutrition Sciences
32graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 1.3% of pipeline
Grad earnings $30,508
Psychology
CIP 42.27
Research and Experimental Psychology
19graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 0.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $34,454
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.08
Genetics
17graduates / yr
1 schools · 2 specializations · 0.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,800
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.03
Botany/Plant Biology
8graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.3% of pipeline
Grad earnings $33,009
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.10
Pharmacology and Toxicology
3graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $39,202
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.09
Physiology
2graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,146
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.12
Biotechnology
1graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $49,023

29 programs in Missouri that lead to this job

Ranked by graduates per year in Missouri (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Missouri page.

Degree programs that lead to this occupation, ranked by graduates per year
#ProgramGraduates / yrShare of pipelineSchoolsGrad earnings (1 yr)Median debt
1
CIP 26.0101In Missouri
1,669
68.0%
44$32,152$25,000
2
CIP 26.1501In Missouri
249
10.1%
6$31,687$22,936
3
CIP 26.0406In Missouri
132
5.4%
4$35,393$19,961
4
CIP 26.9999In Missouri
62
2.5%
3$31,278$23,000
5
CIP 26.0299In Missouri
46
1.9%
1$38,243$23,014
6
CIP 26.1199In Missouri
40
1.6%
1$72,338$18,500
7
CIP 30.1901In Missouri
32
1.3%
2$30,508$24,586
8
CIP 26.1302In Missouri
28
1.1%
2$29,460$23,480
9
CIP 26.1102In Missouri
24
1.0%
3$72,338$18,500
10
CIP 26.1305In Missouri
20
0.8%
2$29,460$23,480
11
CIP 42.2706In Missouri
19
0.8%
2$34,454$21,878
12
CIP 26.0802In Missouri
16
0.7%
1$31,800$21,424
13
CIP 26.0403In Missouri
15
0.6%
2$35,393$19,961
14
CIP 26.0507In Missouri
15
0.6%
1$38,383$22,065
15
CIP 26.0509In Missouri
13
0.5%
1$38,383$22,065
16
CIP 26.0210In Missouri
12
0.5%
1$38,243$23,014
17
CIP 26.1301In Missouri
12
0.5%
2$29,460$23,480
18
CIP 26.0399In Missouri
8
0.3%
1$33,009$21,975
19
CIP 26.0404In Missouri
8
0.3%
1$35,393$19,961
20
CIP 26.0503In Missouri
7
0.3%
1$38,383$22,065
21
CIP 26.0204In Missouri
6
0.2%
2$38,243$23,014
22
CIP 26.1310In Missouri
5
0.2%
1$29,460$23,480
23
CIP 26.1399In Missouri
5
0.2%
1$29,460$23,480
24
CIP 26.0508In Missouri
4
0.2%
1$38,383$22,065
25
CIP 26.1001In Missouri
3
0.1%
1$39,202$18,000
26
CIP 26.0910In Missouri
2
0.1%
1$31,146$23,384
27
CIP 26.0801In Missouri
1
0.0%
1$31,800$21,424
28
CIP 26.1201In Missouri
1
0.0%
1$49,023$21,309
29
CIP 26.1307In Missouri
1
0.0%
1$29,460$23,480

Top 25 schools in Missouri

Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 23 of the 47 schools in this state.

Schools ranked by graduates per year into this occupation
#SchoolGraduates / yrTop feeder programGrad earnings (1 yr)Grad rateNet priceAcceptance
1Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · 14 feeder programs
390Biology/Biological Sciences, General$24,92594%$14,12612%
2University of Missouri - Columbia
Columbia, MO Public · 6 feeder programs
357Biology/Biological Sciences, General$36,73275%78%
3Missouri State University - Springfield
Springfield, MO Public · 5 feeder programs
233Biology/Biological Sciences, General$34,71758%91%
4University of Missouri - Kansas City
Kansas City, MO Public · 2 feeder programs
209Biology/Biological Sciences, General$40,48355%72%
5Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs
195Biology/Biological Sciences, General$34,62080%$24,88675%
6Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO Public · 2 feeder programs
100Biology/Biological Sciences, General$31,42058%74%
7University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, MO Public · 3 feeder programs
88Biology/Biological Sciences, General$32,40057%63%
8Logan University
Chesterfield, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
80Biology/Biological Sciences, General22%$17,90664%
9Kansas City University
Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
57Biology/Biological Sciences, General
10Truman State University
Kirksville, MO Public · 2 feeder programs
57Biology/Biological Sciences, General$31,43569%84%
11Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO Public · 3 feeder programs
56Biology/Biological Sciences, General$37,98354%86%
12University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO Public · 1 feeder programs
54Biology/Biological Sciences, General$34,10254%64%
13Missouri University of Science and Technology
Rolla, MO Public · 2 feeder programs
43Biology/Biological Sciences, General$33,76164%73%
14Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO Public · 2 feeder programs
41Biology/Biological Sciences, General$31,14942%97%
15A T Still University of Health Sciences
Kirksville, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
37Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
16Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
37Biology/Biological Sciences, General$30,48649%$17,43657%
17Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
36Biology/Biological Sciences, General$29,70366%$24,92195%
18Drury University
Springfield, MO Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
34Biology/Biological Sciences, General$33,69962%$20,48258%
19Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Fayette, MO Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
33Biology/Biological Sciences, General$35,41651%$25,58257%
20Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
25Biology/Biological Sciences, General75%$21,89070%
21Ponce Health Sciences University - St Louis
St. Louis, MO Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
23Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
22Webster University
Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
22Biology/Biological Sciences, General$32,75764%$25,09086%
23Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO Public · 1 feeder programs
21Biology/Biological Sciences, General38%
24Harris - Stowe State University
Saint Louis, MO Public · 1 feeder programs
19Biology/Biological Sciences, General$31,99328%
25Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, MO Public · 1 feeder programs
18Biology/Biological Sciences, General$40,93639%

All 47 schools in Missouri

Every school in Missouri with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.

All schools in Missouri that feed this occupation
SchoolCityControlGraduates / yrFeeder programs
Washington University in St LouisSt. LouisPrivate not-for-profit39014
University of Missouri - ColumbiaColumbiaPublic3576
Missouri State University - SpringfieldSpringfieldPublic2335
University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas CityPublic2092
Saint Louis UniversitySaint LouisPrivate not-for-profit1957
Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape GirardeauPublic1002
University of Missouri - St LouisSaint LouisPublic883
Logan UniversityChesterfieldPrivate not-for-profit801
Kansas City UniversityKansas CityPrivate not-for-profit571
Truman State UniversityKirksvillePublic572
Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryvillePublic563
University of Central MissouriWarrensburgPublic541
Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRollaPublic432
Missouri Southern State UniversityJoplinPublic412
A T Still University of Health SciencesKirksvillePrivate not-for-profit371

What biological scientists, all other earn in Missouri

What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.

Median annual in Missouri
$63,290
Mean annual
$75,210
Jobs in state
1,120
What the range looks like
10th pct$42,540Median$63,29090th pct$122,050
Versus the national median
-36.0%

U.S. median $98,920. Missouri pays below the national figure.

Job concentration
1.07×

1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.

Metro areas in Missouri

St. Louis, MO-IL
$78,330median
480 jobs
Columbia, MO
$76,400median
70 jobs
Kansas City, MO-KS
$74,810median
670 jobs
Jefferson City, MO
$59,050median
140 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34
+1.2%
Little or no change
Openings per year
4,800
new jobs plus replacements
Employment change
800
63,700 → 64,500
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree

Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.

How to get in

The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Biological Scientists, All Other page.

How to become a Biological Scientist, All Other

Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Top skills

ScienceReading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeaking

The same job in other states

Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.

Related careers in Missouri

Every major mapped to this job

The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.

All 25 majors mapped to Biological Scientists, All Other24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
  • 26.0101Biology/Biological Sciences, General
  • 26.0204Molecular Biology
  • 26.0207Structural Biology
  • 26.0208Photobiology(no graduates reported)
  • 26.0209Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
  • 26.0210Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • 26.0299Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
  • 26.0301Botany/Plant Biology
  • 26.0305Plant Pathology/Phytopathology
  • 26.0307Plant Physiology
  • 26.0308Plant Molecular Biology
  • 26.0399Botany/Plant Biology, Other
  • 26.0401Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
  • 26.0403Anatomy
  • 26.0404Developmental Biology and Embryology
  • 26.0406Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • 26.0407Cell Biology and Anatomy
  • 26.0499Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
  • 26.0503Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
  • 26.0504Virology
  • 26.0505Parasitology
  • 26.0506Mycology
  • 26.0507Immunology
  • 26.0508Microbiology and Immunology
  • 26.0509Infectious Disease and Global Health

Common questions

Answers for people weighing biological scientists, all other programs in Missouri.

What degree do you need to become a Biological Scientist, All Other?+

Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which awarded 1,669 degrees in Missouri in 2024-25, 68.0% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.

Which college majors lead to becoming a Biological Scientist, All Other?+

The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 29 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biology, Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Ecology, plus 11 more. Together they graduate about 2,455 people a year in Missouri.

How much do biological scientists, all other earn in Missouri?+

The median is $63,290 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 36.0% below the U.S. median of $98,920. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.

Is demand for biological scientists, all other growing?+

BLS projects a +1.2% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 4,800 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.

How many schools offer programs for this career in Missouri?+

47 institutions in Missouri reported graduates from at least one of the 29 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.

What other job titles do biological scientists, all other work under?+

Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Botanist, Biologist, Scientist, Bioinformaticist, Medical Geneticist, Research Scientist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 19-1029.

About the data on this page

Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).

  • BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics

    May 2025

    Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.

  • BLS Employment Projections

    2024–34

    Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.

  • IPEDS Completions

    2024-25 (provisional)

    Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.

  • College Scorecard, Field of Study

    2020-21 cohorts

    Median graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.

  • Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes

    latest available

    Graduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.

  • NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk

    CIP 2020 / SOC 2018

    Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.

  • O*NET Database 30.3

    30.3

    Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.

    Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA

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