Biotechnologist education requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be a biotechnologist?

A bachelor's degree in biotechnology is needed to be a biotechnologist. There are several degree fields and levels available to someone hoping to work in the field of biotechnology. The majority of those working in this field hold a relevant bachelor's degree. Nearly 65% of biotechnologists have a bachelor's while 27% hold a master's degree. Entry level positions are available to those with four year degrees with some companies preferring to hire candidates with a master's degree. The field in which you earn your degree can also vary. The most popular major for those entering the field of biotechnology is biology. These new hires will often then go on to earn a master's degree in an area of specialization related to biotechnology. A degree in biotechnology is the most popular major for those not necessarily intending to obtain a graduate degree. Biotechnology is a field that requires a college degree. Over 92% of those working in the field have either a bachelor's or master's degree with a small percentage going on to get their Phd. in biotechnology.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a biotechnologist. Biotechnologists usually study biology, biotechnology, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 64% of biotechnologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 59 real biotechnologist resumes to see exactly what biotechnologist education sections show.

The most common colleges for biotechnologists are the Briar Cliff University and the Briar Cliff University.

There are also many online biotechnologist courses to help get the education required to be a biotechnologist.

What education do you need to become a biotechnologist?

What degree do you need to be a biotechnologist?

The most common degree for biotechnologists is bachelor's degree, with 64% of biotechnologists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 27% and master's degree degree at 4%.

Bachelor's, 64%

Master's, 27%

Associate, 4%

Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a biotechnologist?

You should major in biology to become a biotechnologist. 25% of biotechnologists major in biology. Other common majors for a biotechnologist include biotechnology and biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology.

Biology, 25%

Biotechnology, 21%

Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, 10%

Microbiology, 8%

Other Majors, 36%

Most common colleges for biotechnologists

Biotechnologists often get their degrees at Briar Cliff University, Madison Area Technical College, and Lebanon Valley College. Here are the most common colleges for biotechnologists in the US based on their resumes.

Biotechnologist common college	Percentages
Briar Cliff University	9.52%
Madison Area Technical College	4.76%
Lebanon Valley College	4.76%
Boston College	4.76%
Florida State University	4.76%

Show more common biotechnologist colleges

Best majors for biotechnologists

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Biology	25.0%
2	Biotechnology	20.8%
3	Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology	10.4%
4	Microbiology	8.3%
5	Chemistry	6.3%

Show more common biotechnologist majors

Best colleges for biotechnologists

The best colleges for biotechnologists are Columbia University in the City of New York, Harvard University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A biotechnologist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for biotechnologists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become biotechnologists.

1. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

6. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

7. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

8. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

10. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

20 best online courses for biotechnologists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for biotechnologists

The most affordable schools for biotechnologists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for biotechnologists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for biotechnologists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for biotechnologists

The hardest universities for biotechnologists to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Harvard University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for biotechnologists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for biotechnologists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

8. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,517

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for biotechnologists

The easiest schools for biotechnologists to get into are Barry University, mount saint mary's university, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a biotechnologist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for biotechnologists.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

8. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

9. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

10. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

Average biotechnologist salary by education level

According to our data, biotechnologists with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $54,125 annually. Biotechnologists with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $47,838.

Biotechnologist education level	Biotechnologist salary
High School Diploma or Less	$46,698
Bachelor's Degree	$54,125
Some College/ Associate Degree	$47,838

Biotechnologist education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a biotechnologist?

What is the best college for Biotechnologists?

Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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