Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Staff biologist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a staff biologist. Staff biologists usually study biology, environmental science, or ecology, population biology, and epidemiology. 77% of staff biologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 210 real staff biologist resumes to see exactly what staff biologist education sections show.
The most common colleges for staff biologists are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online staff biologist courses to help get the education required to be a staff biologist.
What education do you need to become a staff biologist?
What degree do you need to be a staff biologist?
- Bachelor's, 77%
- Master's, 15%
- Associate, 5%
- Doctorate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a staff biologist?
- Biology, 46%
- Other Majors, 36%
Most common colleges for staff biologists
| Staff biologist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 14.55% |
| University of the Sciences | 7.27% |
| Arizona State University | 5.45% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 5.45% |
| Boston College | 5.45% |
Best majors for staff biologists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology | 45.6% |
| 2 | Environmental Science | 7.0% |
| 3 | Ecology, Population Biology, And Epidemiology | 7.0% |
| 4 | Wildlife Management | 4.4% |
| 5 | Zoology | 4.4% |
Best colleges for staff biologists
The best colleges for staff biologists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.
A staff biologist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for staff biologists. 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 staff biologists.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
5. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
6. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
7. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
8. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
9. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
20 best online courses for staff biologists
Advertising disclosure
1. Complete Data Entry Skills Course - Learn Data Entry Skills
Learn Essential Data Entry Skills Now To Enhance Your Career -Word - Excel - Database - Data Entry Jobs...
2. SQL Server Analysis Services - SSAS, Data Mining & Analytics
Develop SSAS cubes from data warehouse on Multidimensional & Tabular modes with Dimensional & Data Mining Models...
3. Data Entry Skills: A Complete Data Entry Course from Scratch
A Complete Guide to Data Entry Skills: Learn Data Entry Skills and become a Data Entry Pro & Get a Online Data Entry Job...
4. Regression Analysis / Data Analytics in Regression
Gain Important and Highly Marketable Skills in Regression Analysis - Tame the Regression Beast Today!...
5. R Programming: Advanced Analytics In R For Data Science
Take Your R & R Studio Skills To The Next Level. Data Analytics, Data Science, Statistical Analysis in Business, GGPlot2...
6. Data Entry Course for Beginners
Learn from a Successful Data Entry Professional!...
7. Fundamentals of Data Analysis for Big Data
This course prepares participants to begin running data analysis on databases...
8. Dynamic Dashboards and Data Analysis with Data Studio - 2022
Learn how to build powerful data visualizations and unlock insights with ease in Google Data Studio...
9. Statistics / Data Analysis in SPSS: Inferential Statistics
Increase Your Data Analytic Skills – Highly Valued And Sought After By Employers...
10. Excel Data Analytics in AML Financial Intelligence Analysis
Applying Excel Data Analytics in Anti-Money Laundering/Combating Financing of Terrorism Analysis & Investigations...
11. Statistics / Data Analysis: Survey Data and Likert Scales
How to Process Survey Data and Analyze Likert Scales In SPSS...
12. MySQL - Statistics for Data Science & Business Analytics
SQL - My SQL for Data Analytics - Beginners - Statistics for Data Science - My SQL for Data Analysis - with 25 projects...
13. The Complete MARINE BIOLOGY 101 Course, Beginner to Advanced
The NEW course with everything you need on Marine Biology - 2021 Online CERTIFICATE - Taught by a real marine biologist!...
14. Advance Analytics with Excel - data analysis toolpak/ Solver
Advanced data analysis in excel: Data Analysis tools (toolpak add-in) for statistics / solver for linear optimization...
15. Data Quality Fundamentals
Understand key concepts, principles and terminology related to Data Quality...
16. Water Treatment Process Design
design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...
17. R Level 1 - Data Analytics with R
Use R for Data Analytics and Data Mining...
18. Certified Data Analytics Expert With Minitab Accredited
Certified Data Analytics Expert With Minitab Accredited Minitab Data Analysis For All Backgrounds...
19. Python Data Analysis & Visualization Bootcamp
Financial Data Analysis and Visualization with Python: The High Quality Study kit...
20. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners
Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...
Top 10 most affordable universities for staff biologists
The most affordable schools for staff biologists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for staff biologists 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 staff biologists.
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 - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
5. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
8. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for staff biologists
The hardest universities for staff biologists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for staff biologists 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 staff biologists 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
4. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
9. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for staff biologists
The easiest schools for staff biologists to get into are AdventHealth University, barry university, and notre dame de namur university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a staff biologist 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 staff biologists.
1. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
6. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
7. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
8. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
9. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
10. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
Average staff biologist salary by education level
| Staff biologist education level | Staff biologist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $67,514 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $62,034 |
| Doctorate Degree | $77,847 |
Staff biologist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.
Search for staff biologist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025