by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 37 U.S. colleges awarded 913 degrees and certificates in Anatomy. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 76% of graduates. College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Anatomy 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.
A major in Anatomy explores Anatomy. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Organ Systems, Tissue Structures, And Whole Bodies Together With Their Cellular And Structural Components And Dynamics. Includes Instruction In Cell Biology And Histology, Structural Biology, Molecular Mechanics, Regional And Gross Anatomy, Embryology, Neuroanatomy, Endocrinology And Secretory Dynamics, And Applications To Such Topics As Aging And Disease Conditions.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., anatomy is a popular field of study, with 913 degrees awarded annually. 37 colleges award anatomy degrees, an average of 25 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 589.
By level, the 913 awards include 694 bachelor’s degrees, 175 master’s degrees and 42 doctorates.
Women earned 66% of anatomy degrees and certificates in the latest year (603 of 913). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (312) and Asian (287), and international students earned 47.
College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Anatomy Schools ranking, including 4 for bachelor’s degrees and 5 for master’s degrees. It also ranks anatomy schools within 8 states. In all, 37 colleges offer anatomy programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Anatomy Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common anatomy credential is the bachelor’s degree: 694 of the 913 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to anatomy call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Biology and Education and Training, 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 an anatomy degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 694 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 175 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 42 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to anatomy, at 25.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 25.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 19.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.3% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
11 occupations are related to Anatomy, with an average median salary of $90,601; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include College Faculty Member, Instructor, Lecturer and University Faculty Member.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to anatomy, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
Anatomy 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 anatomy 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 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
Anatomy has 5 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 5,760 degrees a year; the largest are Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology (4,610), Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology (475) and Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other (437). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4,610 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology | 475 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other | 437 |
| Cell Biology and Anatomy | 134 |
| Developmental Biology and Embryology | 104 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
