This is a most exciting time to earn an online Bachelor of Biology degree—with more and more findings released on the scientific understanding of such issues as climate change and debilitating diseases, well-educated biologists are crucial assets in many industries. Many adults need the freedom and flexibility of an online degree in order to attend to every responsibility, and these Top 5 Online Schools for Bachelor of Biology Degree Programs will provide undergraduate students with the finest in distance education.
Career paths for biology graduates vary depending on their interest and specialization in specific fields and/or industries of the discipline—medical fields, environmental science, zoology, wildlife biology, genetics, molecular biology, and more. These professionals are crucial in developing further understanding of climactic problems across the globe. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual wage for biologists throughout several different industries at around $70,000-100,000 per year.
quick links
Check out these links for some interesting information, designed to help you make a wise career choice: Highest Paying Jobs for College Graduates or Online Schools Center’s Nursing Degree and Career Guide
Top 5 Online Schools for Bachelor of Biology Degree Programs
METHODOLOGY: In developing this list, OnlineSchoolsCenter.com chose not to list the schools in an ordered way but instead highlighted five of the very Top 5 Online Schools for Bachelor of Biology Degree Programs, all of which have their own unique strengths.
The editors of OnlineSchoolsCenter.com collect the most important and relevant data about colleges, universities, and campus facilities from various highly respected sources and offer them in a simple format that is easy to understand. These institutions were chosen for this list for several factors that put them ahead of other online undergraduate programs:
- Teaches the fundamentals of environmental policy and natural resources,
- Degree of thoroughness and complexity of the curriculum,
- 100% Online Availability,
- Sufficient Financial Aid Opportunities; featuring grants and scholarships,
- Improves critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills useful in all aspects of Environmental Studies,
- Proper Accreditation,
- Offers exceptional virtual classroom experiences.
For an in-depth look, please see our Methodology page.
********************
AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.S. IN FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Program Standouts:
American Public University offers online students an exciting bachelor’s program that addresses issues such as pollution, hazardous materials, natural resources, and wildlife management, and “aligns with the Associate Wildlife Biologist certification awarded by The Wildlife Society.” Students will find an interesting and diverse curriculum that will prepare them for many different future scenarios.
Campus Location: Charles Town, WV
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council
Tuition and Fees:
- $270 per credit hour—tuition
Types of Aid: Federal loans and grants; Iraq and Afghanistan service grants; Military tuition assistance and other military aid; Veterans’ benefits; employer tuition assistance; numerous alternative scholarships; and private loans.
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants to this program must submit a completed application; “first-time undergraduate students with no prior college credits, are not required to submit any admission documentation.”
Sampling of Coursework:
- Population Ecology
- Environmental and Ecosystems Management
- Water Resources Management
Degree Outcomes:
Many American Public University faculty members “hold leadership positions at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management, the Nature Conservancy” and other such major organizations that work to protect wildlife throughout the United States. Graduates will find fulfilling careers that range from fishery and wildlife biologist, to park ranger and environmental scient
LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
********************
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
ONLINE B.A. MAJOR IN BIOLOGY
Program Standouts:
The University of Florida offers online students a diverse and exploratory major in biology, that gives individuals a great number of academic and technological resources. Students complete a range of coursework such as Functional Vertebrate Anatomy, Plant Ecology, Invertebrate Biodiversity, and Critical Analysis of Biological Research.
Campus Location: Gainesville, FL
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Tuition and Fees:
- $129.18 per credit hour—in-state tuition and fees
- $552.62 per credit hour—out-of-state tuition and fees
- $30 one time—application fee
Types of Aid: Federal, state, and alternative grants; institutional, private, and alternative scholarships; federal loans, and work-study programs.
Acceptance Rate: 42%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants to this program must submit a completed application (which includes essay and resume sections), the nonrefundable application fee, proof of graduation from an accredited secondary school, and SAT/ACT scores.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Genetics
- Skeletal Keys
- Physiology and Molecular Biology of Animals
Degree Outcomes:
University of Florida biology graduates are prepared to enter career fields such as environmental or biotechnology law, science journalism, bioscience management, and more. Students may choose to concentrate their degree through specific coursework that will lead to more specialized career options.
LEARN MORE ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA) IN BIOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM
********************
BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.S. IN BIOLOGY
Program Standouts:
This program is pertinent for those students interested in a career in the medical field and other related health science fields. Using “hands-on applied to learn with the theory” Bellevue University offers students a thoroughly challenging yet flexible degree program. This institution has received numerous awards as the best college for Veterans and Military personnel.
Campus Location: Bellevue, NE
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Tuition and Fees:
- $395 per credit hour—tuition
- $50 one time—application fee
Types of Aid: Federal loans and grants; institutional, outside, and external awards/scholarships; payment plans; numerous Military/Veterans benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants to this program must submit a completed application, the application fee, official high school transcript/GED certificate/Homeschool Attestation Form, and relevant standardized test scores.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Zoology
- Botany
- Immunology
Degree Outcomes:
Bellevue University biology majors will demonstrate strong capabilities in the ability to apply the principles of scientific methods by embracing the principles and practices of the biological sciences. Career fields for BU graduates include Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medical Technology, Clinical Perfusion, Nursing, Optometry, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Respiratory Care, Veterinary Medicine, Chiropractic Medicine, and more!
LEARN MORE ABOUT BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY’S B.S. IN BIOLOGY-HEALTH SCIENCE CAREERS
********************
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE B.S. IN FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE
Program Standouts:
Oregon State University offers distance education students an online Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife—” an applied, science-based program that focuses on maintaining balance for species and habitats in the wild.” Students have the exciting opportunity to, with the help of faculty advisors, create their own unique specialization area. OSU’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is ranked #1 in the nation for its wildlife program and #2 for its fisheries program!
Campus Location: Corvallis, OR
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Tuition and Fees:
- $280 per credit hour—tuition
Types of Aid: Numerous institutional, outside, alternative, and external scholarship and award opportunities; federal grants and loans; state grants; private supplemental/alternative loans; Veterans/Military benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 78.8%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants to this program must submit the Common Application, official high school transcript, and SAT/ACT scores (including essay portions). Many factors are taken into account in reviewing an application including the strength of coursework, leadership skills, and extracurricular activities.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Field Sampling of Fish and Wildlife
- Ornithology
- Applied Community and Ecosystem Ecology
Degree Outcomes:
Earning an online bachelor’s degree from OSU not only gives students an incredible academic experience, but it also prepares them for a huge number of potential career paths such as fisheries biologist, wildlife biologist, endangered species biologist, hatchery manager, and much more!
LEARN MORE ABOUT OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE SCIENCE BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAM
********************
EXCELSIOR COLLEGE
ONLINE DEGREE B.S. IN NATURAL SCIENCE
Program Standouts:
Excelsior College is a highly revered educational institution across the country that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Natural Science, which a concentration of the Biology degree. In this degree program specifically designed for working adults with family obligations, students have a short and speedy path to a natural sciences degree that is instructed by first-rate faculty members. Individuals also receive support from Excelsior’s award-winning academic advising team.
Campus Location: Albany, NY
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition and Fees:
- $50—application fee
- $510 per credit hour—tuition
Types of Aid: Institutional, outside, alternative, and external scholarship and award opportunities; federal grants and loans; state grants; private supplemental/alternative loans; Veterans/Military benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official high school or GED transcripts as well as those from any accredited undergraduate institutions attended with exemplary GPAs, and financial aid documentation.
Sampling of Coursework:
For information about major coursework click here
Degree Outcomes:
This degree program builds a career in growth industries such as health care, energy, and environmental science. This degree program is perfect for students who are currently working in a relevant career path, or who are new to the industry and are looking to start anew. Excelsior College has been a national leader in distance educations since 1971, and students receive support from an institution that is deeply involved with online programs.
LEARN MORE ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE’S BACHELOR’S IN NATURAL SCIENCES (BIOLOGY) DEGREE PROGRAM
********************
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can I do with an online Bachelor’s degree in Biology?
Many students with a biology degree are set to pursue a medical career; however, if you love to study living things and the field of science, you’re in luck… a biology degree is for you! There are many branches of biology to choose from, as earning a bachelor’s degree in biology is exciting and can lead to many awesome career opportunities. The choice is yours!
Perhaps one of the most popular career choices in this field is that of the biological technician. In this position, you can use your skills and knowledge to conduct research geared towards assisting environmentalists or those in the medical field to find solutions for today’s world problems. Biological technicians gather samples, conduct tests, and document their work in hopes of finding answers within the field they are striving to improve, whether it is for environmental concerns, health-related diseases, or zoo animals.
Other occupations to consider with an online Bachelor of Biology degree include a pharmaceutical sales representative, genetic counselor, wildlife biologist, medical services manager, or zoologist. You may also consider a position as a marine biologist, biochemist, or an entomologist, plus many, many more. A biology degree is one of the most diverse degrees to earn.
Can I earn a Bachelor’s degree in Biology through an online distance learning program? Yes, however…
Bachelor programs in biology are available online for classwork, although, some are considered to be “hybrid” programs. As expected, graduating from a bachelor’s degree program in this field will require some hands-on lab work and, most likely, an internship.
Depending on your interests, you can choose to earn an online Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in the field of biology. Coursework may include studies in microbiology, immunology, genetics, human anatomy, reproduction, general physics, as well as, evolution, taxonomy, and advanced mathematics.
What kind of salary can I earn with an online Bachelor of Biology degree?
As there are many career options available, below you will find some average annual salaries of a variety of career options available with an online Bachelor of Biology degree:
- Biology Technician $43,800
- Forensic Lab Tech $56,320
- Pharmaceutical Sales $78,830
- Biology Professor $59,170
- Zoologist $62,290
- Computational Biologist $114,520
For most, their love of biology leads them to careers steeped rich in the causes that they are truly passionate about, as it should. Salaries in this field are commensurate to your educational degree level, as well as, real-world work experience, without a doubt.
*********************