by our College Data Analytics TeamHuman Biology is a complex, multidisciplinary and interesting major. Students use the social sciences, humanities, and biology, to gain a holistic view of humanity. Some of the subjects studied are normal physiology and disease, as well as society and culture. Classes are innovative and encourage students to think creatively and develop their own options.
Some of the classes you can expect to take as a Human Biology Major include: biology, chemistry, physics, adolescent development, sexual development, family relationships, gerontology, death and dying, genetics, and disease.
Some colleges allow students the ability to choose a concentration. The concentration of Dispute Resolution will prepare students to gain negotiation, mediation, and arbitration skills to resolve issues.
In 2021-2022, human biology was the 191st most popular major nationwide with 1,954 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Human Biology Schools ranking analyzes 15 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for human biology students. Explore this or one of our many other custom human biology rankings further below.
This interdisciplinary major combines classes from a variety of subjects. Students can expect to spend time in the lab performing experiments and submitting lab reports, as well as time in the library writing in-depth research papers. This major may also involve time in the field, interacting and interviewing people. Communication skills are important as you will need to clearly explain complex information.
Be ready to collaborate with others on group projects and presentations. Listen to the opinions and experiences of others to gain a broader understanding of human life.
This major also requires math and science skills. Do not get discouraged if you need multiple tries to get a problem or a formula correct. Perseverance will lead you to success.
human biology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic human biology program qualifications, to serve in some human biology careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different human biology degree levels. Human Biology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest human biology degree you can get. Human Biology programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to human biology, with approximately 34.1% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for human biology workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 36.8% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 27.8% |
| Master’s Degree | 24.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 9.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 1.2% |
Most workers in human biology have at least a doctor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in human biology have received.
The education level required is different depending on the human biology career you are seeking.
Human Biology is a broad major that prepares graduates for a wide range of employment possibilities. Those interested in medicine may choose to work for a medical or pharmaceutical company as research specialists, lab technicians, marketers or salespersons. Graduates also find work in information technology, social work, public health, education or scientific writing. Some choose to continue their education to become nurses, doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists or mental health counselors.
Want a job when you graduate with your human biology degree? Human Biology careers are expected to grow 11.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to human biology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Professors | 71,700 | 15.1% |
| Biological Scientists | 41,800 | 8.0% |
| Social Sciences Professors | 16,800 | 9.8% |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | 7,900 | 3.9% |
Recently graduated human biology students earned an average of $32,107 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $12,187 to as high as $50,179. As you might expect, salaries for human biology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for human biology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers human biology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
| Social Sciences Professors | $87,950 |
| Biological Scientists | $83,600 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $65,310 |
With over 58 different human biology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased human biology school rankings to help you with this.
Human Biology is one of 51 different types of Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Human Biology | 1,954 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 31,307 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,032 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,114 |
| International Studies | 6,614 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,598 |
