Best colleges for biology in Pennsylvania

    Carlow University ranks first in Pennsylvania for biology value (#25 nationally, value score 77.5): graduates earn $134,677 4 years after the bachelor's degree, and the average net price is $22,455 a year.

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition · Source: College Scorecard field of study, reporting year 2025 · 45 Pennsylvania colleges ranked · Updated November 4, 2026

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    Best biology colleges in Pennsylvania

    Carlow University ranks first in Pennsylvania for biology value (#25 nationally, value score 77.5): graduates earn $134,677 4 years after the bachelor's degree, and the average net price is $22,455 a year. 45 Pennsylvania colleges qualify. At the median one, biology graduates earn $65,000 and the average net price is $25,272 a year.

    Source: U.S. College Scorecard field of study, 2025

    What the data shows

    Key findings

    • 45 Pennsylvania colleges qualify. At the median one, biology graduates earn $65,000 and the average net price is $25,272 a year.
    • The lowest average net price among them is at Holy Family University-Pennsylvania: $12,882 a year.
    Median earnings
    $65,000
    National: $58,001
    Median net price
    $25,272
    National: $18,049
    Median federal debt
    $25,544
    biology graduates
    Public colleges
    11 of 45
    in this list

    45 colleges

    The Pennsylvania ranking

    Ordered by the national value score; the national rank is shown with each college. Earnings are medians 4 years after the bachelor's degree.

    1. Rank in Pennsylvania 1

      Carlow University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit · #25 nationally

      77.5Value
      Earnings
      $134,677
      Net price
      $22,455
      Federal debt
      $26,774
      Graduation rate
      69%
    2. Rank in Pennsylvania 2

      Lafayette College

      Easton, PA · Private nonprofit · #43 nationally

      74.3Value
      Earnings
      $82,109
      Net price
      $35,879
      Federal debt
      $12,000
      Graduation rate
      85%
    3. Rank in Pennsylvania 3

      Muhlenberg College

      Allentown, PA · Private nonprofit · #46 nationally

      74.1Value
      Earnings
      $83,215
      Net price
      $25,253
      Federal debt
      $25,000
      Graduation rate
      83%
    4. Rank in Pennsylvania 4

      Lehigh University

      Bethlehem, PA · Private nonprofit · #58 nationally

      73.4Value
      Earnings
      $75,611
      Net price
      $25,272
      Federal debt
      $21,794
      Graduation rate
      85%
    5. Rank in Pennsylvania 5

      La Salle University

      Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · #72 nationally

      72.1Value
      Earnings
      $73,920
      Net price
      $19,758
      Federal debt
      $19,500
      Graduation rate
      60%
    6. Rank in Pennsylvania 6

      University of Pennsylvania

      Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · #73 nationally

      72.0Value
      Earnings
      $68,435
      Net price
      $29,577
      Federal debt
      $13,801
      Graduation rate
      97%
    7. Rank in Pennsylvania 7

      Temple University-Pennsylvania

      Philadelphia, PA · Public · #104 nationally

      69.0Value
      Earnings
      $72,134
      Net price
      $23,058
      Federal debt
      $23,250
      Graduation rate
      73%
    8. Rank in Pennsylvania 8

      Holy Family University-Pennsylvania

      Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · #111 nationally

      68.6Value
      Earnings
      $67,285
      Net price
      $12,882
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      67%
    9. Rank in Pennsylvania 9

      Saint Joseph's University

      Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · #127 nationally

      67.3Value
      Earnings
      $82,769
      Net price
      $33,840
      Federal debt
      $26,816
      Graduation rate
      81%
    10. Rank in Pennsylvania 10

      Bucknell University

      Lewisburg, PA · Private nonprofit · #133 nationally

      66.9Value
      Earnings
      $85,687
      Net price
      $50,021
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      85%
    11. Rank in Pennsylvania 11

      Elizabethtown College-Pennsylvania

      Elizabethtown, PA · Private nonprofit · #153 nationally

      65.5Value
      Earnings
      $73,542
      Net price
      $25,682
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      82%
    12. Rank in Pennsylvania 12

      DeSales University

      Center Valley, PA · Private nonprofit · #174 nationally

      62.8Value
      Earnings
      $76,125
      Net price
      $29,183
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      70%
    13. Rank in Pennsylvania 13

      Widener University

      Chester, PA · Private nonprofit · #178 nationally

      62.3Value
      Earnings
      $73,535
      Net price
      $26,151
      Federal debt
      $26,000
      Graduation rate
      67%
    14. Rank in Pennsylvania 14

      Villanova University

      Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit · #183 nationally

      62.0Value
      Earnings
      $73,933
      Net price
      $41,536
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      93%
    15. Rank in Pennsylvania 15

      Drexel University

      Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · #186 nationally

      61.8Value
      Earnings
      $72,197
      Net price
      $37,529
      Federal debt
      $24,832
      Graduation rate
      78%
    16. Rank in Pennsylvania 16

      Seton Hill University-Pennsylvania

      Greensburg, PA · Private nonprofit · #204 nationally

      60.6Value
      Earnings
      $70,848
      Net price
      $25,519
      Federal debt
      $25,639
      Graduation rate
      67%
    17. Rank in Pennsylvania 17

      Duquesne University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit · #219 nationally

      59.6Value
      Earnings
      $70,958
      Net price
      $37,704
      Federal debt
      $25,000
      Graduation rate
      76%
    18. Rank in Pennsylvania 18

      Swarthmore College

      Swarthmore, PA · Private nonprofit · #221 nationally

      59.5Value
      Earnings
      $57,754
      Net price
      $17,392
      Federal debt
      Not reported
      Graduation rate
      92%
    19. Rank in Pennsylvania 19

      Arcadia University

      Glenside, PA · Private nonprofit · #238 nationally

      58.7Value
      Earnings
      $73,377
      Net price
      $25,397
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      58%
    20. Rank in Pennsylvania 20

      Gettysburg College

      Gettysburg, PA · Private nonprofit · #244 nationally

      58.5Value
      Earnings
      $68,383
      Net price
      $33,015
      Federal debt
      $25,000
      Graduation rate
      79%
    21. Rank in Pennsylvania 21

      University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

      Johnstown, PA · Public · #247 nationally

      58.2Value
      Earnings
      $62,744
      Net price
      $16,375
      Federal debt
      $23,000
      Graduation rate
      55%
    22. Rank in Pennsylvania 22

      Chatham University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit · #257 nationally

      57.4Value
      Earnings
      $65,750
      Net price
      $25,502
      Federal debt
      $22,843
      Graduation rate
      64%
    23. Rank in Pennsylvania 23

      University of Pittsburgh-Bradford

      Bradford, PA · Public · #259 nationally

      57.3Value
      Earnings
      $62,744
      Net price
      $13,598
      Federal debt
      $23,000
      Graduation rate
      38%
    24. Rank in Pennsylvania 24

      York College of Pennsylvania

      York, PA · Private nonprofit · #267 nationally

      56.7Value
      Earnings
      $67,444
      Net price
      $21,886
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      62%
    25. Rank in Pennsylvania 25

      University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

      Pittsburgh, PA · Public · #288 nationally

      55.1Value
      Earnings
      $62,744
      Net price
      $29,362
      Federal debt
      $23,000
      Graduation rate
      86%
    26. Rank in Pennsylvania 26

      Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

      Shippensburg, PA · Public · #290 nationally

      55.0Value
      Earnings
      $62,124
      Net price
      $21,129
      Federal debt
      $18,709
      Graduation rate
      49%
    27. Rank in Pennsylvania 27

      Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

      Kutztown, PA · Public · #298 nationally

      54.1Value
      Earnings
      $65,948
      Net price
      $22,146
      Federal debt
      $25,448
      Graduation rate
      55%
    28. Rank in Pennsylvania 28

      Westminster College-Pennsylvania

      New Wilmington, PA · Private nonprofit · #300 nationally

      54.0Value
      Earnings
      $64,772
      Net price
      $19,484
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      60%
    29. Rank in Pennsylvania 29

      Lycoming College

      Williamsport, PA · Private nonprofit · #301 nationally

      54.0Value
      Earnings
      $64,552
      Net price
      $18,815
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      58%
    30. Rank in Pennsylvania 30

      University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

      Greensburg, PA · Public · #304 nationally

      53.7Value
      Earnings
      $62,744
      Net price
      $17,075
      Federal debt
      $23,000
      Graduation rate
      45%
    31. Rank in Pennsylvania 31

      Mercyhurst University

      Erie, PA · Private nonprofit · #325 nationally

      52.0Value
      Earnings
      $65,000
      Net price
      $26,486
      Federal debt
      $25,000
      Graduation rate
      61%
    32. Rank in Pennsylvania 32

      University of Scranton

      Scranton, PA · Private nonprofit · #328 nationally

      51.9Value
      Earnings
      $64,774
      Net price
      $32,132
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      82%
    33. Rank in Pennsylvania 33

      East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

      East Stroudsburg, PA · Public · #331 nationally

      51.4Value
      Earnings
      $63,320
      Net price
      $21,084
      Federal debt
      $22,875
      Graduation rate
      46%
    34. Rank in Pennsylvania 34

      Gannon University

      Erie, PA · Private nonprofit · #394 nationally

      46.4Value
      Earnings
      $60,846
      Net price
      $24,443
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      71%
    35. Rank in Pennsylvania 35

      Allegheny College

      Meadville, PA · Private nonprofit · #409 nationally

      44.9Value
      Earnings
      $59,989
      Net price
      $23,895
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      70%
    36. Rank in Pennsylvania 36

      Dickinson College

      Carlisle, PA · Private nonprofit · #432 nationally

      42.9Value
      Earnings
      $57,103
      Net price
      $28,634
      Federal debt
      $21,500
      Graduation rate
      74%
    37. Rank in Pennsylvania 37

      Millersville University of Pennsylvania

      Millersville, PA · Public · #438 nationally

      42.5Value
      Earnings
      $57,483
      Net price
      $18,817
      Federal debt
      $23,250
      Graduation rate
      55%
    38. Rank in Pennsylvania 38

      Marywood University

      Scranton, PA · Private nonprofit · #448 nationally

      41.7Value
      Earnings
      $57,765
      Net price
      $21,059
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      68%
    39. Rank in Pennsylvania 39

      Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

      Slippery Rock, PA · Public · #468 nationally

      40.0Value
      Earnings
      $55,033
      Net price
      $19,972
      Federal debt
      $23,036
      Graduation rate
      68%
    40. Rank in Pennsylvania 40

      Ursinus College

      Collegeville, PA · Private nonprofit · #481 nationally

      39.3Value
      Earnings
      $58,659
      Net price
      $30,181
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      73%
    41. Rank in Pennsylvania 41

      Wilkes University-Pennsylvania

      Wilkes-Barre, PA · Private nonprofit · #536 nationally

      34.3Value
      Earnings
      $57,332
      Net price
      $25,799
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      59%
    42. Rank in Pennsylvania 42

      Susquehanna University

      Selinsgrove, PA · Private nonprofit · #542 nationally

      34.0Value
      Earnings
      $55,271
      Net price
      $28,585
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      79%
    43. Rank in Pennsylvania 43

      Juniata College

      Huntingdon, PA · Private nonprofit · #551 nationally

      33.4Value
      Earnings
      $54,686
      Net price
      $24,001
      Federal debt
      $27,000
      Graduation rate
      69%
    44. Rank in Pennsylvania 44

      Delaware Valley University

      Doylestown, PA · Private nonprofit · #611 nationally

      26.8Value
      Earnings
      $55,244
      Net price
      $28,226
      Federal debt
      $24,250
      Graduation rate
      50%
    45. Rank in Pennsylvania 45

      Indiana University of Pennsylvania

      Indiana, PA · Public · #623 nationally

      25.3Value
      Earnings
      $49,673
      Net price
      $17,391
      Federal debt
      $26,542
      Graduation rate
      52%

    Method: the same value score as the national biology ranking (earnings, debt relative to earnings, average net price and graduation rate, each a national percentile). Data: College Scorecard, reporting year 2025; 2026–27 edition, verified Nov 2026.

    Questions about biology colleges in Pennsylvania

    What are the best colleges for biology in Pennsylvania?

    By CollegesRef value score, the top 3 Pennsylvania colleges for biology are Carlow University (value score 77.5), Lafayette College (value score 74.3) and Muhlenberg College (value score 74.1). The score weighs graduate earnings, debt relative to earnings, average net price and graduation rate.

    Which Pennsylvania college has the highest earnings for biology graduates?

    Carlow University: its biology graduates have median earnings of $134,677 4 years after the bachelor's degree.

    What is the most affordable biology college in Pennsylvania on this list?

    Holy Family University-Pennsylvania has the lowest average net price of the ranked Pennsylvania colleges, $12,882 a year after grants. A family's own price depends on income and aid.

    How many Pennsylvania colleges are ranked for biology?

    45 Pennsylvania colleges have a biology bachelor's program with enough graduates and reported earnings, plus a published net price and graduation rate. Ranks shown are national; the state rank is their order within Pennsylvania.