College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best General Biology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

163 Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region
17,891 Biology Degrees Awarded
$29,200 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #5 in popularity, general biology is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual reviewed 163 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of general biology. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 17,891 degrees in general biology during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great General Biology School

Best General Biology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region The biology program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Biology rankings. We derive our Best Overall General Biology School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

General Biology Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Biology
Bachelor's Degrees in Biology
Master's Degrees in Biology
Doctor's Degrees in Biology

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best General Biology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list to help you make the college decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for General Biology in the Middle Atlantic Region

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the biology degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

24 Top Middle Atlantic Region Schools in Biology

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
158 Biology Degrees Awarded
$39,783 Median Starting Salary

Every student who is interested in general biology has to look into University of Pennsylvania. UPenn is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were approximately 158 general biology students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general biology program at University of Pennsylvania earn $10,583 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general biology from University of Pennsylvania

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
315 Biology Degrees Awarded
3.5% Growth in Graduates

It's hard to beat Cornell University if you want to pursue a degree in general biology. Located in the small city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were approximately 315 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the biology program earn about $29,066 for their early career.

More information about a degree in general biology from Cornell University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
21st Most Popular In NY
110 Biology Degrees Awarded

Any student who is interested in general biology has to take a look at Columbia University in the City of New York. Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 110 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general biology from Columbia University in the City of New York

4
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
383 Biology Degrees Awarded
$37,367 Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in general biology has to take a look at New York University. NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #27 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were about 383 general biology students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year. Those general biology students who get their degree from New York University earn $8,167 more than the typical biology student.

More information about a degree in general biology from New York University

5
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
60 Biology Degrees Awarded
$22,160 Median Starting Salary

Georgetown is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.

There were about 60 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the biology program report average early career income of $22,160.

More information about a degree in general biology from Georgetown University

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
56 Biology Degrees Awarded
$72,074 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were approximately 56 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the general biology degree program at Johns Hopkins University make $42,874 above the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general biology from Johns Hopkins University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
331 Biology Degrees Awarded
$24,508 Median Starting Salary

Pitt is a fairly large public university located in the city of Pittsburgh. This university ranks 7th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 331 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, biology degree recipients generally make an average of $24,508 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in general biology from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
560 Biology Degrees Awarded
9.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were roughly 560 general biology students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent data year. After graduating, biology degree recipients usually earn around $24,993 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in general biology from University of Maryland - College Park

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
235 Biology Degrees Awarded
$28,825 Median Starting Salary

University of Rochester is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Rochester. This university ranks 8th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 235 general biology students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the biology program report average early career earnings of $28,825.

More information about a degree in general biology from University of Rochester

10
Swarthmore crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
42 Biology Degrees Awarded
7.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #46 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Swarthmore is a great college overall.

There were approximately 42 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Swarthmore in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general biology degree program at Swarthmore College make $5,225 more than the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general biology from Swarthmore College

11
Bucknell crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
62 Biology Degrees Awarded
$35,954 Median Starting Salary

Bucknell is a small private not-for-profit university located in the distant town of Lewisburg. A Best Colleges rank of #66 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Bucknell is a great university overall.

There were roughly 62 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Bucknell in the most recent data year. General Biology degree recipients from Bucknell University get an earnings boost of around $6,754 over the typical income of general biology graduates.

More information about a degree in general biology from Bucknell University

12
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
338 Biology Degrees Awarded
16.0% Growth in Graduates

Temple is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Philadelphia. This university ranks 11th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 338 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Temple in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the biology program earn about $30,888 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in general biology from Temple University

13
Lehigh crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
43 Biology Degrees Awarded
$37,096 Median Starting Salary

Lehigh is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Bethlehem. A Best Colleges rank of #71 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Lehigh is a great university overall.

There were about 43 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh in the most recent data year. Those general biology students who get their degree from Lehigh University receive $7,896 more than the standard biology grad.

More information about a degree in general biology from Lehigh University

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
132 Biology Degrees Awarded
15.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #49 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means GWU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 132 general biology students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, biology degree recipients generally make an average of $28,669 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in general biology from George Washington University

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
210 Biology Degrees Awarded
7.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Newark, UD is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 4 colleges for overall quality in the state of Delaware.

There were about 210 general biology students who graduated with this degree at UD in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the biology program earn about $23,403 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in general biology from University of Delaware

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
751 Biology Degrees Awarded
0.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 44 schools for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were about 751 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers New Brunswick in the most recent data year. General Biology degree recipients from Rutgers University - New Brunswick earn a boost of approximately $2,295 above the average earnings of general biology majors.

More information about a degree in general biology from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

17
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
173 Biology Degrees Awarded
8.7% Growth in Graduates

Drexel is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia. This university ranks 10th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 173 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Drexel in the most recent year we have data available. Those general biology students who get their degree from Drexel University earn $6,472 more than the standard biology graduate.

More information about a degree in general biology from Drexel University

18
Vassar crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
44 Biology Degrees Awarded
$32,836 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 13th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 44 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Vassar in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the general biology major at Vassar College make $3,636 more than the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general biology from Vassar College

19
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$35,718 Median Starting Salary
$19,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 9th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 28 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Lafayette in the most recent year we have data available. General Biology degree recipients from Lafayette College earn a boost of approximately $6,518 over the average income of general biology graduates.

More information about a degree in general biology from Lafayette College

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
344 Biology Degrees Awarded
$23,622 Median Starting Salary

UMBC is a large public university located in the large suburb of Baltimore. This university ranks 4th out of 36 colleges for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were about 344 general biology students who graduated with this degree at UMBC in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the biology program report average early career income of $23,622.

More information about a degree in general biology from University of Maryland - Baltimore County

21
SUNY Stony Brook crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
555 Biology Degrees Awarded
12.4% Growth in Graduates

SUNY Stony Brook is a very large public university located in the suburb of Stony Brook. This university ranks 18th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 555 general biology students who graduated with this degree at SUNY Stony Brook in the most recent data year. After graduating, biology degree recipients typically make about $29,086 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in general biology from Stony Brook University

22
Hamilton crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Located in the midsize suburb of Clinton, Hamilton is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 11th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 26 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Hamilton in the most recent data year. General Biology degree recipients from Hamilton College earn a boost of about $4,552 over the average earnings of general biology graduates.

More information about a degree in general biology from Hamilton College

23
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Biology Degrees Awarded
35.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the town of Hamilton, Colgate is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #67 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Colgate is a great university overall.

There were about 48 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Colgate in the most recent year we have data available. General Biology degree recipients from Colgate University receive an earnings boost of around $4,981 over the typical income of general biology graduates.

More information about a degree in general biology from Colgate University

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
49th Most Popular In NY
41 Biology Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Troy, RPI is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population. This school ranks 9th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 41 general biology students who graduated with this degree at RPI in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rest of the Top Best General Biology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best General Biology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region award.

Rank College Location
26 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
27 Ursinus College Collegeville, PA
28 Towson University Towson, MD
29 Barnard College New York, NY
30 Haverford College Haverford, PA
31 Binghamton University Vestal, NY
32 Rutgers University - Newark Newark, NJ
25 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY

Best General Biology Colleges by State

Explore the best general biology colleges for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Pennsylvania 334 4,618
New York 333 7,471
Maryland 279 1,848
New Jersey 273 3,102
District of Columbia 188 478
Delaware 175 279

View All Rankings >

One of 14 majors within the Biological & Biomedical Sciences area of study, General Biology has other similar majors worth exploring.

Biology Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Biology Studies 16,202
General Biomedical Sciences 1,689

View All Biology Concentrations >

Majors Similar to Biology

Related Major Annual Graduates
Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology 2,462
Neurobiology & Neurosciences 2,112
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology 1,379
Biotechnology 1,022
Physiology & Pathology Sciences 944
Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Other) 921
Biomathematics & Bioinformatics 756
Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences 635
Microbiological Sciences & Immunology 359
Pharmacology & Toxicology 280

View All Biology Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options