by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 165 U.S. colleges awarded 6,673 degrees and certificates in Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 72% of graduates. College Factual ranks 80 schools in its 2027 Best Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $39,754 one year after completing, rising to $73,772 after four years.
Cells are the basic building blocks of life. There are infinite amounts of them, all with different functions. A major in Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences will allow you to study microscopic cells: their composition, specific functions and organization. You will learn how organisms grow, reproduce, and survive in their environments.
In order for you to completely understand cells and cell function you will take a variety of classes. These classes could include: chemistry, physics, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, biology, microbiology, and immunology.
Concentrations within this major include: Cell Biology & Histology, Anatomy, Developmental Biology & Embryology, Cell & Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology & Anatomy.
Studying Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences covers Cell/cellular Biology And Anatomical Sciences.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., cell biology & anatomical sciences draws strong interest, with 6,673 degrees awarded annually. 165 colleges award cell biology & anatomical sciences degrees, an average of 40 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 833.
By level, the 6,673 awards include 133 associate degrees, 4,817 bachelor’s degrees, 905 master’s degrees and 816 doctorates.
Women earned 64% of cell biology & anatomical sciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (4,287 of 6,673). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,502) and Asian (1,778), and international students earned 637.
College Factual ranks 80 schools in its 2027 Best Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools ranking, including 46 for bachelor’s degrees, 24 for master’s degrees and 27 for doctorates. It also ranks cell biology & anatomical sciences schools within 28 states. In all, 165 colleges offer cell biology & anatomical sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common cell biology & anatomical sciences credential is the bachelor’s degree: 4,817 of the 6,673 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to cell biology & anatomical sciences call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Biology, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
This major requires a dedicated and determined student. Cell Biology is fascinating, yet sometimes complex to understand. Students will need clear writing in order to complete lab reports and make complicated information simple to understand. You will tap into your critical thinking skills when performing experiments, doing research and completing concise short answer questions. There will be a mixture of attending lectures and participating in labs. Labs help you put into practice the theories learned in the classroom.
As you continue to work towards your degree, you will learn skills that will help you succeed in school and a career. You will be able to design, collect, evaluate, and interpret experimental data. Participate in class, work in group projects, and communicate with your professors in order to develop scientific literacy, analytical skills and time management.
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How long a cell biology & anatomical sciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 133 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,817 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 905 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 816 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to cell biology & anatomical sciences, at 35.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 35.1% |
| Master’s degree | 18.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 13.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 8.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.0% |
| Some college courses | 1.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
19 occupations are related to Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences, with an average median salary of $98,925; the strongest outlook belongs to Biological Technicians, at 12.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Professor, College Faculty Member, Associate Professor and Adjunct Instructor.
Studying Cell Biology will give you a great starting point if you are planning on entering into a graduate studies program. However if you would like to jump right into a career you can find work in areas such as teaching, academic writing, research, or the legal, commercial or medical aspects are associated with cell biology.
The occupation related to cell biology & anatomical sciences with the most projected jobs is Cytotechnologists, at 2,585,436.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotechnologists | 2,585,436 | 10.3% |
| Cytogenetic Technologists | 2,100,694 | 1.9% |
| Histotechnologists | 1,678,341 | 4.1% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists | 678,933 | 3.9% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences graduates earn a median $39,754 one year after completing their program, $73,772 after four years and $75,225 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,754 |
| 4 years | $73,772 |
| 5 years | $75,225 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to cell biology & anatomical sciences is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Cytotechnologists | $155,812 |
| Cytogenetic Technologists | $155,361 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Histotechnologists | $125,527 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $107,979 |
Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences includes 6 concentrations that together award 6,673 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology (4,610), Anatomy (913) and Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology (475). It has 14 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 180,430 degrees a year; the largest are Biology, General (103,797), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (14,729) and Neurobiology and Neurosciences (13,720). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4,610 |
| Anatomy | 913 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology | 475 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other | 437 |
| Cell Biology and Anatomy | 134 |
| Developmental Biology and Embryology | 104 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biology, General | 103,797 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 14,729 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 13,720 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 12,732 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 9,697 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 4,879 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | 4,738 |
| Biotechnology | 4,423 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | 4,228 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 3,447 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
