by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 4 U.S. colleges awarded 207 degrees and certificates in Molecular Biophysics. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 90% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $39,854 one year after completing, rising to $68,946 after four years.
A degree in Molecular Biophysics explores Molecular Biophysics. A Scientific Program That Focuses On The Dynamics And Interactions Of Macromolecules And Other Three-Dimensional Ultrastructures, The Architecture Of Supramolecular Structures, And Energy Transfer In Biomolecular Systems. Includes Instruction In Energy Transduction, Structural Dynamics, Mechanisms Of Electron And Proton Transfer In Biological Systems, Bioinformatics, Automated Analysis, And Specialized Research Techniques.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., molecular biophysics is a widely-pursued major, with 207 degrees awarded annually. 4 colleges award molecular biophysics degrees, an average of 52 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 192.
By level, the 207 awards include 186 master’s degrees and 21 doctorates.
Women earned 43% of molecular biophysics degrees and certificates in the latest year (89 of 207). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (16) and Hispanic or Latino (8), and international students earned 150.
The most common molecular biophysics credential is the master’s degree: 186 of the 207 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to molecular biophysics call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Biology and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a molecular biophysics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 186 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 21 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to molecular biophysics, at 38.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 16.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.3% |
| Master’s degree | 10.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.2% |
| Some college courses | 4.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Molecular Biophysics, with an average median salary of $114,380; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Project Manager, Clinical Trials Manager, Research Coordinator and Clinical Manager.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to molecular biophysics, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | 95,666 | 3.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Molecular Biophysics graduates earn a median $39,854 one year after completing their program, $68,946 after four years and $71,448 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,854 |
| 4 years | $68,946 |
| 5 years | $71,448 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to molecular biophysics is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $107,979 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
Molecular Biophysics has 8 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 14,522 degrees a year; the largest are Biochemistry (10,285), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1,633) and Molecular Biology (1,409). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry | 10,285 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 1,633 |
| Molecular Biology | 1,409 |
| Molecular Biochemistry | 514 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other | 336 |
| Biophysics | 303 |
| Radiation Biology/Radiobiology | 25 |
| Structural Biology | 17 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.