Best institutions to study Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics
A program that focuses on the theoretical and empirical study of the principles and processes underlying the origin and maintenance of biological taxonomic diversity; related biogeographical and evolutionary patterns; and studies of the origin, diversification, distribution, and extinction of species and lineages.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 24 Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1308, a specialization of Ecology (CIP 26.13), and leads most directly to the Biological Scientists, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 19-1029).
About Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics programs
A program that focuses on the theoretical and empirical study of the principles and processes underlying the origin and maintenance of biological taxonomic diversity; related biogeographical and evolutionary patterns; and studies of the origin, diversification, distribution, and extinction of species and lineages. Includes instruction in phylogenetic analysis, structural development and molecular evolution, classification and taxonomic theory, biological nomenclature, taxonomic assignment, evolutionary theory, biological surveys and inventories, computer modeling, and database building.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics program, part of the Ecology field, delves into the principles and processes that shape biological diversity. It is designed for students interested in understanding the origins, diversification, and extinction of species, as well as the patterns of their distribution across the globe. This program is ideal for those passionate about biodiversity and its conservation.
Learn more about Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics →
Students in this program will engage in coursework covering phylogenetic analysis, molecular evolution, taxonomic theory, and biological nomenclature. They will also learn about evolutionary theory, biological surveys, and database building, equipping them with essential skills for research in biological diversity.
Credentials awarded
What Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship16 graduates / yr · 1 institution67%
- Master's degree8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions33%
Graduates over time
Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 24 |
Top 2 institutions for Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 23 | 98% | $15,013 | $31,999 |
| 2 | Marshall University Huntington, WVPublicMaster's | 1 | 51% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Ecology field (CIP 26.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 2 states
Where Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics graduates come from. Each state links to all Ecology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 1 | 23 | Harvard University23 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 1 | Marshall University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1029, Biological Scientists, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics program can pursue careers as Biological Scientists or Biological Science Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook shows little to no change, with an annual opening of 4,800 positions and a median wage of $93,330, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1308
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Biological Scientists, All Otherprimary SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Other Ecology specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Ecology (CIP 26.13).
- EpidemiologyCIP 26.13093,001 graduates / yr102 institutions
- Marine Biology and Biological OceanographyCIP 26.13022,636 graduates / yr84 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.13011,166 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyCIP 26.1310879 graduates / yr42 institutions
- Environmental BiologyCIP 26.1305481 graduates / yr51 institutions
- Conservation BiologyCIP 26.1307405 graduates / yr37 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.1399344 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Epidemiology and BiostatisticsCIP 26.1311248 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Evolutionary BiologyCIP 26.1303192 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Aquatic Biology/CIP 26.1304
Limnology partial data126 graduates / yr9 institutions - Population BiologyCIP 26.1306partial data10 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree or a Doctor's degree in Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics.
What skills will I gain?+
You will learn about phylogenetic analysis, molecular evolution, and taxonomic theory, among other topics.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Biological Scientist or a Biological Science Teacher at the postsecondary level.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with 4,800 annual openings and a median wage of $93,330.
What is the CIP code for Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics?+
Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics is CIP 26.1308 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Ecology (CIP 26.13). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the theoretical and empirical study of the principles and processes underlying the origin and maintenance of biological taxonomic diversity; related biogeographical and evolutionary patterns; and studies of the origin, diversification, distribution, and extinction of species and lineages. Includes instruction in phylogenetic analysis, structural development and molecular evolution, classification and taxonomic theory, biological nomenclature, taxonomic assignment, evolutionary theory, biological surveys and inventories, computer modeling, and database building.
How many institutions offer Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 24 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Ecology graduates.
How much do Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Scientists, All Other occupation, which Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics most directly leads to, pays a median of $98,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Ecology field report median earnings of $31,999 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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