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2023 Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Biology Studies

152 Ranked Colleges
927 Degrees Awarded
$32,500 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 95,999 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, biology studies is the 6th most popular major in the United States.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 927 biology studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,260 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate” ranking looked at 152 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in biology studies. To top this list, a school must have a successful biology studies program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Biology Studies Schools

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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 “Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate”.

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Stanford Biology Studies Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 31 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UCSD Biology Studies Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s biological sciences degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

4

Out of the 152 schools in the Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #4 spot on the list. Columbia is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 21 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Biology Studies Report

5
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Notre Dame. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. University of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Biology Studies at Notre Dame

6
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Purdue

7

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. Louisiana State University is a large public school situated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It awarded 16 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Biology Studies Report

7
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. Boca Raton, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s biological sciences degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida Atlantic University Biology Studies Report

9
Johns Hopkins crest
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. Johns Hopkins is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 15 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Johns Hopkins Biology Studies Report

10

University of California - Berkeley landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 14 degrees to qualified doctorate’s biological sciences students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Biology Studies at University of California - Berkeley

10
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Northwestern University Biology Studies Report

10
NYU crest
New York University
New York, New York

With a ranking of #10, New York University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s biological sciences degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full NYU Biology Studies Report

13
The Graduate Center crest
The Graduate Center, CUNY
New York, New York

The Graduate Center, CUNY did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #13. The Graduate Center, CUNY is a medium-sized public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 13 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full The Graduate Center Biology Studies Report

13

University of Maryland - College Park came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. UMCP is a large public school situated in College Park, Maryland. It awarded 13 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at University of Maryland - College Park

13
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #13. This large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Harvard University

16
Tennessee State University crest
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Biology Studies at Tennessee State University

16

With a ranking of #16, California Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. California Institute of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 12 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full California Institute of Technology Biology Studies Report

16

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. ASU - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 12 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full ASU - Tempe Biology Studies Report

16

Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences at City of Hope landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. This small school is located in Duarte, California, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Biology Studies at Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences at City of Hope

16
UD crest
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware

University of Delaware ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. UD is a public institution located in Newark, Delaware. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Biology Studies at University of Delaware

21
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Biology Studies Report

21

Florida International University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. Florida International University is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Biology Studies at Florida International University

21
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

With a ranking of #21, University of Utah did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Biology Studies at U of U

24
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama

Auburn University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. Auburn is a large school located in Auburn, Alabama that handed out 10 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Auburn Biology Studies Report

24

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 10 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UIC Biology Studies Report

24
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

University of Houston came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s biological sciences degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Biology Studies at UH

24
NAU crest
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate list. NAU is located in Flagstaff, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full NAU Biology Studies Report

24
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. UK is a large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 10 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Biology Studies at UK

24
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Lubbock, Texas, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Texas Tech University Biology Studies Report

24
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Biological Sciences Major for a Doctorate ranking. K -State is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 10 doctorate’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Kansas State University

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References

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