Biotechnology

CIP Code: 26.1201

A biotechnology degree prepares graduates for careers in Natural sciences managers, Biological scientists, all other, Biological science teachers, postsecondary. 178 colleges and universities offer this program.

Annual Degrees Awarded
3,869
Colleges Offering 178
Avg. Career Salary $112,657
Top Career Salary $161,180

Biotechnology Salary by College

Nationally, bachelor’s graduates in this field earn a median $67,097 four years after graduating (middle half: $46,671–$88,980). Where you study it matters: across 13 colleges with reported results, pay ranges from $55,981 to $90,565.

Sort by:

#College4 yrs afterWage-adjusted1 yr afterMedian debtOutcome Rating
1Worcester State University Worcester, MA$90,565$79,752$70,124$17,455C
2Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ$87,600$76,885$56,509$21,500A
3Syracuse University Syracuse, NY$87,596$83,373$44,418$27,000A
4University of California-Davis Davis, CA$87,406$79,534$59,156$12,843A
5University of Houston Houston, TX$78,750$80,066$49,916$17,250B+
6Endicott College Beverly, MA$78,735$69,334$34,308$25,300C
7California State University-San Marcos San Marcos, CA$76,622$69,721$49,615$16,500C+
8Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY$74,613$71,016$41,895$23,937A
9California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA$73,542$66,918$42,712$20,618C
10California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, CA$73,152$66,564$60,697$17,562B+
11Utah Valley University Orem, UT$67,603$64,072$52,118—B+
12James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA$65,893$60,002$41,832$21,000B+
13Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO$55,981$52,353$40,141$18,386C+

Bachelor’s degrees. Wage-adjusted = pay ÷ √(state wage index). Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data.

What Can You Do With a Biotechnology Degree?

Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:

Natural sciences managers

$161,180 +3.7% growth

Biological scientists, all other

$93,330 +1.2% growth

Biological science teachers, postsecondary

$83,460 +7.3% growth
$112,657
Average Salary Across Careers
$161,180
Highest Paying Career
3
Career Paths Available

Best Colleges for Biotechnology

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in biotechnology.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 467 A
2 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 59 A
3 Harvard University Cambridge, MA 50 A
4 Brown University Providence, RI 40 A
5 Northwestern University Evanston, IL 38 A
6 New York University New York, NY 25 A
7 Northeastern University Boston, MA 270 B+
8 University of California-Davis Davis, CA 70 B+
9 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC 49 B+
10 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 47 B+
11 Georgetown University Washington, DC 46 B+
12 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 38 B+
13 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 34 B+
14 Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX 32 B+
15 University of Houston Houston, TX 85 B
16 Brigham Young University Provo, UT 38 B
17 Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN 37 B
18 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, CA 34 B
19 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 33 B
20 Pontotoc Technology Center Ada, OK 28 B
21 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA 28 B
22 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 28 B
23 Gaston College Dallas, NC 411 C+
24 California State University-San Marcos San Marcos, CA 51 C+
25 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL 50 C+
26 University of New Hampshire at Manchester Manchester, NH 38 C+
27 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY 30 C+
28 Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FL 28 C+
29 California State University-Channel Islands Camarillo, CA 26 C+
30 Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MA 25 C+

Largest Biotechnology Programs

Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most biotechnology graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 467 A
2 Gaston College Dallas, NC 411 C+
3 Northeastern University Boston, MA 270 B+
4 University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD 159 C
5 University of Houston Houston, TX 85 B
6 University of California-Davis Davis, CA 70 B+
7 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 59 A
8 Morehouse School of Medicine Atlanta, GA 59 C
9 California State University-San Marcos San Marcos, CA 51 C+
10 Harvard University Cambridge, MA 50 A
11 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL 50 C+
12 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC 49 B+
13 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 47 B+
14 Georgetown University Washington, DC 46 B+
15 Brown University Providence, RI 40 A
16 Northwestern University Evanston, IL 38 A
17 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 38 B+
18 Brigham Young University Provo, UT 38 B
19 University of New Hampshire at Manchester Manchester, NH 38 C+
20 Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN 37 B
21 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 34 B+
22 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, CA 34 B
23 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 33 B
24 Cleveland Community College Shelby, NC 33 C
25 Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX 32 B+
26 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY 30 C+
27 Rush University Chicago, IL 30 C
28 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 28 B
29 Pontotoc Technology Center Ada, OK 28 B
30 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA 28 B
3,869
Degrees Awarded Annually
178
Colleges Offering Program
3
Related Careers

About Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a degree program offered at 178 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 3,869 students graduate with this degree.

Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as natural sciences managers, biological scientists, all other, biological science teachers, postsecondary.

Program Classification

CIP Code 26.1201
Field (2-digit CIP) 26
Category (4-digit CIP) 26.12

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a Biotechnology degree?
A Biotechnology degree can lead to careers as a natural sciences managers, biological scientists, all other, biological science teachers, postsecondary, and more. Top earners in related careers can make up to $161,180 annually.
How many colleges offer Biotechnology?
178 colleges and universities in the United States offer Biotechnology as a degree program. Each year, approximately 3,869 students graduate with this degree.
What are the best colleges for Biotechnology?
The best colleges for Biotechnology based on Repit's ratings include Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Brown University, Northwestern University. Rankings are based on the college's overall Repit grade and the number of degrees awarded in this program.
What is the salary potential with a Biotechnology degree?
Graduates with a Biotechnology degree can expect average salaries around $112,657 in related careers, with top earners making up to $161,180. Actual salaries depend on the specific career path, experience level, and location.