2023 Best Online Biology Degrees

Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science for students who want to study Earth's environmental crises and their collective impact on biological resources. Concentrations include Data Analytics in Science and National Resources and Conservation. This 121-credit program generally takes full-time students four years to complete. Similarly, students may opt for SNHU's online Bachelor of Science in Geosciences - Natural Resources and Conservation. Overall, SNHU has a 94% acceptance rate and a 40% graduation rate.

SNHU uses Brightspace to deliver its online environmental science curriculum, which includes courses such as Geology, Global Climate Change, Energy and Society, and General Biology. Coursework can help prepare students for certification, licensure, and a wide range of careers — from environmental scientists and conservation land managers to park rangers and climate change analysts.

American Public University System (APU) is a private, for-profit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences to help students build a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and earth science. Concentrations include Biology and Earth Science. Graduating requires completing 120 credit hours, which may take four years of full-time enrollment. APU accepts 100% of applicants, and 18% of students graduate with their degrees.

APU delivers online coursework and instruction via Brightspace. Distance learners in the online natural sciences program enroll in classes, such as Physical Geography, General Biology, Calculus, and Elements of Physics. Students must also complete an independent study or a senior seminar to graduate. This program also meets National Science Teachers Association requirements for secondary science education.

Arizona State University (ASU) is a public institution that offers a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, which is available for students to take online. In general, this program is designed to cover the various branches of biology, including genetics, botany, microbiology, and environmental science. It's 120 credit hours, the standard amount required for most bachelor's degrees, and the online degree program consists of 39 classes that each take about seven and a half weeks to finish. At ASU, the acceptance rate among applicants is 73%, and the school's graduation rate is 52%. This means that more than half of students graduate with their degrees.

Through ASU Online's biological sciences program, you'll take key courses online — such as Evolution, General Genetics, and Calculus for Life Sciences — through Canvas, an industry-leading learning software. However, there are some in-person requirements, such as a 1-week organic chemistry lab during the summer that takes place on campus. Graduates of this online bachelor's degree enter a wide range of professions due to the broad nature of the subject material, ranging from professors and scientists to dentists, pharmacists, and veterinarians.

Florida International University (FIU) — a large, public institution — offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences totaling 120 credit hours. The program includes tracks (or concentrations), such as (1) Quantifying Biology in the Classroom (QBIC), (2) Marine Biology, and (3) Biology Education (FIUteach). Sample core courses include General Biology I, Biology Career Planning, and Cellular Chemistry.

At FIU, students complete coursework synchronously on Canvas. Online support for students include success coaching and tutoring. In addition, prospective students must submit an online application, ACT or SAT scores, and official high school transcripts.

Oregon State University (OSU) is a large, public institution offering several online Bachelor of Science programs: a (1) Bachelor of Science in Botany, (2) Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences (with an optional Aquatic Biology concentration), and (3) Bachelor of Science in Zoology. Each program requires 180 credit hours to complete and covers various biological sciences specialties for students to pursue. All three program curriculums cover different topics, such as chemistry, ecology, and genetics.

OSU’s online students must complete coursework in synchronous and asynchronous formats on Canvas. Student resources at OSU are success coaching, tutoring, technical help, and more. OSU’s admission requirements include an application and official high school or college transcripts.

The University of Arizona (UArizona) is a large, public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Biology that consists of 120 credit hours. The program also has several emphases students can choose from, such as Biomedical Sciences and Organismal Biology. Overall, UArizona accepts 85% of applicants and has a 64% graduation rate.

UArizona delivers coursework virtually to students through the online learning management system, D2L. The program's sample core courses include Ecology, Foundations in Biochemistry, and Genetics. In addition to online classes, the institution has other remote student support services, including tutoring, academic success specialists, librarian consultations, and disability resources. UArizona’s admission requirements include submitting an application and official transcripts.

Washington State University (WSU) is a public institution that offers a Bachelor of Science in Biology requiring 120 credit hours. This online degree program covers molecular biology, physiology, plant development, and cell biology. Overall, WSU accepts 80% of applicants, while 65% of students end up graduating.

At WSU, students can submit coursework in an asynchronous format on Canvas, a popular digital learning platform. In addition to online classes, career advising, academic advising, tech assistance, and tutoring are some of WSU’s student support services. Admission requirements include completing a minimum of 19 semester credit hours of biology classes as well as an additional 21 credit hours of biological sciences. Prospective industries that graduates may decide to work in include research centers, hospitals, and wildlife rescue centers, to name a few.

The University of Florida (UF) is a large, public university offering two fully online biology programs: (1) Bachelor of Arts in Biology and (2) Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science. Each program totals 120 credit hours, which generally takes most students around four years to complete. UF has an 88% graduation rate, but it's a competitive university to get into, with a 31% acceptance rate.

UF allows online students to complete coursework asynchronously on Canvas. Online student support at UF includes academic advising, career planning, and counseling. Potential job roles for graduates of both programs include a pharmacist’s assistant, biometrician, and conservation biologist. Admission requirements for both programs include submitting an online application, having an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 for transferable college credits, and completing prerequisites with a grade of C or higher.

At Kean University, a public institution, students can pursue an online Bachelor of Arts in Biology or a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Both programs — which require 120 credit hours each to complete — immerse students in research and travel opportunities to prepare them for careers in the national sciences or beyond. Currently, Kean has an acceptance rate of 78% and a graduation rate of 59%.

Online students at Kean complete coursework on the learning management platform Blackboard. Sample coursework includes Zoology Form and Function, Intro to Environmental Science, and Principles of Genetics. Student services include disability support and counseling. Kean’s general admission requirements include submitting an application, official transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores.