Dreaming of a career in biology? These top US colleges rival the Ivy League
For students embarking on this fascinating academic journey, the career prospects are vast and promising, offering roles in research, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, environmental management, and emerging fields like synthetic biology and bioinformatics. As global challenges demand scientific solutions, graduates with rigorous training in biological sciences enjoy strong demand, competitive salaries, and opportunities to influence health, technology, and sustainability worldwide.
Based on the authoritative QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 for Biological Sciences, this article highlights five outstanding US universities that excel in this field, excluding the Ivy League schools, to guide aspiring biologists seeking elite education and research environments.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
QS 2025 Subject Rank (Biological Sciences): 2 globally
Why it stands out: MIT blends biology with engineering, computation, and physics, offering an interdisciplinary approach through its Department of Biology and affiliations like the Whitehead Institute.
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Its focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms makes it a global powerhouse in biosciences research.
Johns Hopkins University
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
QS 2025 Subject Rank: 7 globally
Why it stands out: Known for pioneering biomedical research, JHU's Department of Biology collaborates extensively with its world-renowned School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health. Its research spans neuroscience, developmental biology, and genomics.
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
Location: Berkeley, California
QS 2024 Subject Rank: 8 globally
Why it stands out: UC Berkeley's Division of Biological Sciences emphasizes evolutionary biology, genetics, and plant sciences.
The university offers access to top-tier labs like the Innovative Genomics Institute and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Location: San Francisco, California
QS 2024 Subject Rank: 9 globally
Why it stands out: UCSF is a graduate-level health sciences campus, laser-focused on life sciences, pharmacology, and biomedical research. Its strength lies in translational research, particularly in genetics, cancer biology, and neuroscience.
University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Location: La Jolla, California
QS 2024 Subject Rank: 11 globally
Why it stands out: UCSD's Division of Biological Sciences excels in marine biology, molecular biology, and systems biology. The Salk Institute and the nearby biotech corridor make it a strategic hub for cutting-edge life sciences research.
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