Best colleges for Biology in Tennessee
Ranked by graduate earnings
Middle Tennessee State University, University of Memphis and Tennessee State University are the top bachelor's Biology programs in Tennessee by graduate earnings. Middle Tennessee State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,986, College Scorecard. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Middle Tennessee State University and Tennessee Technological University award the most Biology degrees in Tennessee: 266, 147 and 104 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 37 Tennessee colleges offer Biology and award 1,406 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Biology program, also known as Biology, General, is designed for students interested in the scientific study of life and living organisms. This broad natural science encompasses various fields, focusing on the structure, function,…
Top 10 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,986 | 147 | 54% | — | $21,500 |
| 2 | University of Memphis Memphis Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,145 | 99 | 51% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | Tennessee State University Nashville Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,672 | 65 | 34% | — | $29,375 |
| 4 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,643 | 76 | 50% | — | $20,000 |
| 5 | Rhodes College Memphis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,901 | 64 | 85% | $19,854 | $23,465 |
| 6 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,138 | 65 | 53% | — | $20,625 |
| 7 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,487 | 266 | 74% | — | $23,579 |
| 8 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,087 | 104 | 58% | — | $15,500 |
| 9 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,662 | 47 | 40% | — | $26,215 |
| 10 | The University of the South Sewanee Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,932 | 40 | 80% | $21,573 | $25,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Biology degrees in Tennessee
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public | 266 | $27,487 |
| 2 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | 147 | $35,986 |
| 3 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville Public | 104 | $25,087 |
| 4 | University of Memphis Memphis Public | 99 | $32,145 |
| 5 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public | 76 | $29,643 |
| 6 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public | 65 | $28,138 |
| 7 | Tennessee State University Nashville Public | 65 | $30,672 |
| 8 | Rhodes College Memphis Private not-for-profit | 64 | $28,901 |
| 9 | Belmont University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 54 | Not reported |
| 10 | Lipscomb University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 49 | $20,387 |
ShowHide the other 27 Tennessee colleges offering Biology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Peay State University | Clarksville | Public | 47 |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale | Private not-for-profit | 43 |
| The University of the South | Sewanee | Private not-for-profit | 40 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 39 |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate | Private not-for-profit | 27 |
| The University of Tennessee Health Science Center | Memphis | Public | 20 |
| Cumberland University | Lebanon | Private not-for-profit | 19 |
| Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson | Private not-for-profit | 18 |
| The University of Tennessee Southern | Pulaski | Public | 17 |
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| King University | Bristol | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 12 |
| Fisk University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin | Public | 11 |
| Tusculum University | Greeneville | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | Athens | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Lee University | Cleveland | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Maryville College | Maryville | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Union University | Jackson | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Bryan College - Dayton | Dayton | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Milligan University | Milligan | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Baptist Health Sciences University | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Bethel University | McKenzie | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Lane College | Jackson | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Le Moyne-Owen College | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Welch College | Gallatin | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Biological Technicians (SOC 19-4021).
Top skills
What Biological Technicians earn in Tennessee
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Biology programs in Tennessee.
Which Tennessee colleges award the most Biology degrees?+
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (266 graduates a year), Middle Tennessee State University (147 graduates a year) and Tennessee Technological University (104 graduates a year) award the most Biology degrees in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 37 Tennessee colleges offer Biology.
What is the best college for Biology in Tennessee?+
By graduate earnings, Middle Tennessee State University leads among bachelor's Biology programs in Tennessee, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,986, College Scorecard. University of Memphis and Tennessee State University follow. By degrees awarded, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is the largest, with 266 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Biology program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Middle Tennessee State University tops the list at $35,986. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Biological Technicians earn in Tennessee?+
The average annual wage for Biological Technicians in Tennessee is $57,910 (median $50,840), across about 1,240 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Biology program?+
The Biology program, also known as Biology, General, is designed for students interested in the scientific study of life and living organisms. This broad natural science encompasses various fields, focusing on the structure, function,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, science, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Biological Technicians?+
The national job outlook is about +3.5% growth with around 9,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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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