Top 9 Free Online Biology Degrees 2027

Biology teaches you how living systems work, from cells and genes to entire ecosystems, and a bachelor's degree can lead to laboratory, field, health, and teaching careers. Studying online used to be difficult because of lab requirements, but several universities now deliver labs through home kits, virtual simulations, and short campus sessions.

This guide explains what "free" realistically means for a science degree, shares strategies for lowering your costs, and compares nine online programs. You'll also find typical costs, timelines, and career data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, so read on to find the path that fits your schedule and budget.

Disclaimer: The schools advertised on Learn.org do not guarantee free tuition. Tuition-free programs do not always mean zero cost to attend. In some cases, eligibility for low-cost college education is limited by state residency, income thresholds, employer partnerships, or other requirements. Always verify with the individual school or program to understand what is covered and what out-of-pocket expenses you may still be responsible for.

Are There Free Online Biology Degrees?

No, there is no accredited online biology degree that is free for everyone. Colleges charge tuition and fees for every bachelor's program, and science degrees add costs such as lab kits, lab fees, and sometimes travel for required on-campus sessions.

You can still shrink the bill considerably, and eligible students sometimes cover tuition entirely. Federal and state grants, flat-rate online pricing, generous transfer policies, and employer support can work together to bring a biology degree within reach, especially if you start with science courses at a community college.

What "Free" Really Means for an Online Biology Degree

When a program is described as free, it usually means grants or scholarships cover tuition for students who meet certain conditions, such as state residency, income limits, or full-time enrollment. Textbooks, technology fees, and living expenses typically remain your responsibility.

Biology brings a few extra items to your budget. You may need to purchase at-home lab kits, pay lab fees, or travel to a campus for a short organic chemistry lab session, as some programs require. Asking each school how it delivers labs, and what that costs, gives you a more realistic picture than tuition alone.

Ways to Make an Online Biology Degree Low-Cost

Students who pay the least usually combine several strategies. The options below are the most useful for biology majors.

Complete the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens the door to Pell Grants, work-study, and many state and school awards that rely on your federal application. Last-dollar scholarships often require it as well.

File as early as possible each year, since some funds are limited. Online students at accredited schools qualify for the same federal aid as students who attend on campus.

Look for State Grants and Last-Dollar Programs

Many states offer grants or last-dollar scholarships that cover tuition remaining after federal aid. These programs typically apply to residents attending public colleges and universities within the state.

Eligibility rules vary, so check your state's higher education agency for current requirements and confirm that online programs qualify. Pairing a state award with a Pell Grant can cover a large share of tuition for eligible students.

Choose In-State or Flat-Rate Online Pricing

Some universities charge every online student the same rate, regardless of residency. The University of Alaska Fairbanks, for example, offers in-state tuition to all online students, and LSU Alexandria charges a flat rate with no out-of-state fees.

Comparing total cost rather than the in-state rate alone can reveal strong options outside your home state. Be sure to include lab fees and kit costs in your comparison.

Start With Science Prerequisites at a Community College

Introductory biology, chemistry, and math courses cost less at most community colleges, and many online degree completion programs expect you to bring these credits with you. Washington State University's online biology program, for instance, requires science courses to be transferred in from other institutions.

Check transfer equivalencies before you enroll, and confirm that lab sections will be accepted. Taking labs in person at a nearby school and transferring them in is another route some programs allow.

Apply for Scholarships

Colleges, professional societies, and foundations offer scholarships for science students, and some target students pursuing health, environmental, or laboratory careers. Others are open to any major and any enrollment format.

Your school's science department and financial aid office can point you to awards for online students. Applying to several smaller scholarships each term can add up.

Use Employer and Military Benefits

If you work in a laboratory, hospital, or environmental organization, your employer may offer tuition assistance. Under federal tax rules, employers can generally provide up to $5,250 per year in educational assistance without it counting as taxable income to you.

Veterans, service members, and eligible family members may also use GI Bill or military tuition assistance benefits. Ask your school's veteran services office to confirm that your program qualifies.

Low-Cost Online Colleges With Biology Degrees

The schools below offer online bachelor's programs in biology or closely related life sciences at accessible prices. Programs differ in how they handle labs, so read each description carefully and confirm the details with the school.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University was among the first schools to launch a fully online biology degree, and its BS in Biological Sciences lets you choose a concentration in biomedical sciences, biology and society, conservation biology and ecology, or genetics, cell and developmental biology. Most labs run through at-home kits or virtual reality simulations, and the degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master's program.

Plan for one in-person requirement: the organic chemistry lab, which you can complete in a one-week session on ASU's Tempe campus or at an approved accredited institution near you. ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and its diplomas don't indicate whether you earned your degree online or in person.

2. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona's online BS in Biology lets you choose between a biomedical sciences emphasis and an organismal biology emphasis, and the core major coursework is available 100% online. The university says the program includes the coursework required for admission to its own medical school, though students targeting other professional programs should check those schools' policies.

Degree completion requires two organic chemistry labs, which you complete in an immersion format of 3.5 days per lab at the university's main campus. The university is accredited by HLC.

3. Florida International University

Florida International University offers a fully online BA in Biological Sciences with tracks ranging from allied health to science communication and biology education. You'll complete general biology with labs and upper-division electives such as cell biology and developmental biology, and every online undergraduate student is paired with a success coach.

The program leans on FIU's research strengths in areas such as ecology, genetics, microbiology, and tropical biology. FIU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

4. Oregon State University

Oregon State University's Ecampus offers two online bachelor's paths for biology-minded students: zoology, billed as the nation's first online zoology bachelor's, and biohealth sciences, an interdisciplinary degree that blends life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and public health. Online labs include at-home kits, field assignments, and custom simulations built by Oregon State faculty.

One caution if you're headed to medical or another professional school: the biohealth program notes that its specialized pre-professional options aren't available to distance students. Ecampus generally doesn't charge nonresident students a premium, though you should confirm that for your program, and an online honors degree is available. Oregon State is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

5. University of Alaska Fairbanks

The University of Alaska Fairbanks lets every online student pay in-state tuition regardless of location, and its online biological sciences degree comes in BA and BS versions. Courses typically have weekly deadlines instead of set meeting times, and some include virtual field trips to ecosystems within Alaska.

Online students can complete a research or integrative capstone, with examples such as a behavioral neuroscience project built around a mouse colony or a community ecology meta-analysis. The online BS is offered without a concentration, while the BA requires fewer natural science credits and more social science and humanities credits. UAF is accredited by NWCCU.

6. Washington State University

Washington State University's online biology program is a degree completion pathway, so it works best if you've already finished your science prerequisites at a community college or another university. Global Campus courses, delivered 100% online, cover molecular and cell biology, physiology, and the development of animals and plants.

Courses such as Biology 106 and 107 must be transferred in before you begin, so review the transfer requirements early. Online students receive free professional tutoring in biology, and WSU is accredited by NWCCU.

7. LSU Alexandria

LSU Alexandria's online BS in Biology with a Modern Biology concentration covers molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, and ecology, with seven-week terms and six start dates each year. Every online student pays the same flat-rate tuition regardless of where they live, with no out-of-state fees.

You can meet hands-on lab requirements through the program's lab options, or by taking lab classes at a university near you and transferring those credits. The major totals 52 credits including the concentration and biology electives, and LSUA is accredited by SACSCOC.

8. Empire State University

Empire State University, part of the State University of New York system, offers a 100% online BS in Biology that totals 120 credits. You'll build a foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and math before moving into required and elective advanced biology courses.

Graduates pursue education, research, clinical, environmental, and allied health paths, and the degree can lead to graduate study. Because science programs vary in how they deliver labs, ask the department how lab requirements are met. Empire State is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

9. Wilmington University

Wilmington University, a private nonprofit in Delaware, offers a BS in Biology with core science courses taught in person at its Delaware locations, and you can instead choose to earn the degree 100% online using at-home lab kits. The degree is designed for science careers or further study toward a master's-level STEM or MD program.

Because Wilmington is a private school, compare your net price after aid with public options, and ask how lab kits are priced and scheduled. The university is accredited by MSCHE.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. Because biology depends on hands-on labs, how each program delivers lab instruction also shapes the order.

Programs that clearly describe their lab options, keep costs low for online students, and offer flexible formats rank higher than those with limited transparency. Four criteria guide each placement:

• Accreditation: Only regionally accredited institutions are considered, which protects your financial aid eligibility and the transferability of your credits.
• Affordability and financial aid: Per-credit costs, flat-rate or in-state pricing for online students, transfer-friendly policies, and available scholarships all shape a school's standing.
• Online availability: Programs must deliver the major coursework online, with lab arrangements, whether home kits, virtual labs, or short campus sessions, described clearly.
• Student outcomes: College Scorecard data on graduation rates and post-enrollment earnings offers insight into how students fare after they enroll.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

How Much Does an Online Biology Degree Cost?

Many public universities charge roughly $200 to $700 per credit hour for online undergraduate courses, which works out to about $24,000 to $84,000 in tuition for a 120-credit bachelor's degree. Flat-rate or in-state pricing for online students can lower that figure, while private schools and some out-of-state rates run higher.

Science degrees carry extra costs. Lab kits, lab fees, and travel for any required on-campus sessions can add to your total, and transfer credits from a community college can offset some of it. Grants, scholarships, and employer assistance can cover a significant share of tuition for eligible students.

How Long Does It Take To Earn a Biology Degree Online?

A bachelor's degree in biology typically takes about four years of full-time study, since it requires roughly 120 credits and a sequence of science courses with prerequisites. Shorter terms, such as seven-week courses, can help you keep a steady pace, and part-time students should expect the timeline to stretch.

If you've already completed introductory biology, chemistry, and math, degree completion programs can get you to graduation in about two years. Because many science courses build on each other, planning your course sequence with an advisor early can prevent delays.

How To Choose the Right Low-Cost Biology Degree

Price matters, but the way a program handles labs and prerequisites can matter even more. Weigh the criteria below before you apply.

• Lab format: Find out whether labs use at-home kits, virtual simulations, on-campus sessions, or transferred credits, and what each option costs in money and travel.
• Accreditation: Regional accreditation protects your financial aid eligibility and ensures employers and graduate schools recognize your degree.
• Pre-health fit: If you plan to apply to medical, dental, or other professional programs, check each target school's policy on online lab credit, and confirm which prerequisites your degree covers.
• Transfer and prerequisite rules: Degree completion programs may require you to bring science courses with you, so verify equivalencies before you enroll.
• Pricing structure: Compare flat-rate and in-state online pricing against standard out-of-state rates, including fees and kit costs.
• Concentrations and tracks: Options such as biomedical sciences, ecology, or science communication can tailor the degree to your career goals.
• Graduate school pathways: If you may pursue a master's degree later, consider programs with accelerated master's options or research capstone experiences.

Career Outlook With an Online Biology Degree

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), biological technicians earn a median annual wage of $57,510, and employment is projected to grow 7% through 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS expects about 9,400 openings each year, and technicians typically need a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field.

Experience and further education can open higher-paying doors. The BLS notes that technicians may advance to scientist positions after a few years of experience or a graduate degree, and microbiologists, who typically enter with a bachelor's degree, earn a median annual wage of $87,990. Lab experience gained through internships or university research can strengthen your candidacy for these roles.

FAQs About Free Online Biology Degree Programs

The answers below cover common concerns about free learning options and what they mean for your path in the life sciences. They'll help you set realistic expectations as you compare programs.

Are There Free Online Biology Courses?

Yes, many free biology courses are available online. Khan Academy offers biology lessons at no cost, OpenStax publishes a free biology textbook, and platforms such as Coursera and edX often let you audit university courses without paying. These resources can help you build a foundation or test your interest, but they don't carry college credit or satisfy lab requirements.

Are There Free Online Biology Certificates?

Some platforms offer free certificates of completion for short courses, and universities may offer low-cost undergraduate certificates tied to a degree. A free certificate can strengthen your resume, but it isn't the same as a degree, and it won't replace the lab-based coursework employers and graduate schools expect. If you want a credential with academic weight, look for one from an accredited school that can later count toward your bachelor's degree.

Is a Free Online Biology Degree Respected by Employers?

Employers and graduate programs focus on whether your school is accredited and whether you've gained real laboratory experience, not on how you paid for your degree. A biology degree from an accredited university carries the same value online as it does on campus, and some schools, such as ASU, don't note the online format on the diploma. Internships and research projects can further strengthen your credentials.

How Do Online Biology Degrees Handle Lab Requirements?

Programs use a mix of approaches. Some send at-home lab kits, others use virtual or virtual reality simulations, and a few require short on-campus sessions, such as a one-week organic chemistry lab at ASU or 3.5-day immersions at the University of Arizona. Others let you take labs at a nearby college and transfer the credits, so ask each school how it works and what it costs before you commit.

Can I Get Into Medical School With an Online Biology Degree?

It's possible, but policies vary by school. The University of Arizona says its online biology degree meets its own medical school's requirements, and it advises students targeting other professional programs to check each program's rules. Some medical and health professional schools scrutinize online lab credit, so contact the admissions offices of the schools you're considering before you choose a program.

Find Affordable Online Biology Programs

Learn.org brings online biology programs together in one place so you can compare costs, lab formats, and aid options side by side. Browse programs through Learn.org and connect directly with schools to get personalized information about admission requirements, lab arrangements, and financial aid.