Best colleges for Biotechnology
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Biotechnology by graduate earnings are Worcester State University ($70,124), California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ($60,697) and University of California-Davis ($59,156), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Worcester State University (Worcester, MA): $70,124, 20 graduates a year
- California State Polytechnic University - Pomona (Pomona, CA): $60,697, 36 graduates a year
- University of California-Davis (Davis, CA): $59,156, 84 graduates a year
- Rutgers University - New Brunswick (New Brunswick, NJ): $56,509, 37 graduates a year
- Utah Valley University (Orem, UT): $52,118, 23 graduates a year
Compare 186 U.S. colleges offering Biotechnology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 45 states.
Biotechnology programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,615 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 26.12 and the Natural Sciences Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Biotechnology programs
The Biotechnology program is a multidisciplinary field that merges natural sciences and engineering to apply biological organisms and their components for various products and services. This program is ideal for students interested in advancing technology in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability through innovative biological solutions.
Students in the Biotechnology program will develop essential skills in science, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers biology, chemistry, and the use of computers and electronics, preparing students for real-world applications in research and development.
Top 17 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worcester State University Worcester, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $70,124 | 20 | 61% | — | $22,056 |
| 2 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,697 | 36 | 68% | — | $18,500 |
| 3 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,156 | 84 | 86% | — | $11,985 |
| 4 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,509 | 37 | 84% | — | $26,686 |
| 5 | Utah Valley University Orem, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,118 | 23 | 45% | — | $16,500 |
| 6 | University of New Hampshire at Manchester Manchester, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,276 | 46 | 50% | — | $27,000 |
| 7 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,916 | 68 | 65% | — | $19,250 |
| 8 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,615 | 52 | 55% | — | $18,500 |
| 9 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,418 | 30 | 84% | $28,851 | $27,000 |
| 10 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,030 | 44 | 71% | — | $23,180 |
| 11 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,178 | 27 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 12 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,895 | 28 | 70% | $28,133 | $24,125 |
| 13 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,832 | 36 | 80% | — | $20,209 |
| 14 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,992 | 44 | 78% | — | $25,498 |
| 15 | University of New Hampshire Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $50,276 | 14 | 76% | — | $27,000 |
| 16 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $40,141 | 1 | 67% | — | $17,594 |
| 17 | Endicott College Beverly, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,308 | 19 | 76% | $34,195 | $27,000 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Graduate degree | $49,023 | 34 | 85% | — | $22,000 |
Specializations within Biotechnology
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 26.12 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 45 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9121, Natural Sciences Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Biotechnology program can expect a career outlook that is about as fast as average, with an estimated annual opening of 8,500 positions. The median wage for professionals in this field is $161,180, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Biotechnology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 26.12.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 26.12 (Biotechnology) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managersprimary |
| 19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other |
| 25-1042 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Biotechnology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
- Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
- Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
- Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
- Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
- Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
Common questions
What is biotechnology?+
Biotechnology is a field that integrates natural and engineering sciences to apply biological organisms for products and services.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn skills in science, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for biotechnology graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with approximately 8,500 annual openings.
What is the typical salary for biotechnology professionals?+
The median wage for biotechnology professionals is $161,180.
How much do Biotechnology graduates earn?+
Biotechnology graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,615, College Scorecard (2019); the Natural Sciences Managers occupation pays about $180,250 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Biotechnology?+
Biotechnology maps to CIP 26.12 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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