In the latest year, 12 U.S. colleges awarded 134 degrees and certificates in Cell Biology & Anatomy. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 73% of graduates. College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Cell Biology & 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 degree in Cell Biology & Anatomy involves the study of Cell Biology And Anatomy. An Integrated, Combined Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Cell Structure, Function, And Dynamics Within The Context Of Organismic, Regional, And Gross Anatomical Systems. Includes Instruction In Molecular Biology, Cell Biology And Histology, Structural Biology, Anatomy, Embryology, Endocrinology, And Applications To Specific Systems, Diseases, Defects, And Processes.
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 & anatomy is a popular field of study, with 134 degrees awarded annually. 12 colleges award cell biology & anatomy degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 31.
By level, the 134 awards include 3 bachelor’s degrees, 98 master’s degrees and 33 doctorates.
Women earned 60% of cell biology & anatomy degrees and certificates in the latest year (80 of 134). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (66) and Asian (17), and international students earned 14.
College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Cell Biology & Anatomy Schools ranking, including 3 for master’s degrees. It also ranks cell biology & anatomy schools within 1 state. In all, 12 colleges offer cell biology & anatomy programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Cell Biology & Anatomy Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common cell biology & anatomy credential is the master’s degree: 98 of the 134 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to cell biology & anatomy call most for Science, Reading Comprehension and Writing, and for knowledge of Biology, English Language and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Written Expression.
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How long a cell biology & anatomy degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 98 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 33 |
Post-doctoral training is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to cell biology & anatomy, at 32.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-doctoral training | 32.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.5% |
| Master’s degree | 23.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Cell Biology & Anatomy, with an average median salary of $75,296; the strongest outlook belongs to Biological Scientists, All Other, at 9.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Research Scientist, Scientist, Neurophysiologist and Biologist.
The occupation related to cell biology & anatomy with the most projected jobs is Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 276,211.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | 23,620 | 9.2% |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | 11,006 | 5.4% |
Cell Biology & 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 cell biology & anatomy is Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, with a median salary of $111,314.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
| Geneticists | $48,526 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
Cell Biology & Anatomy has 5 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 6,539 degrees a year; the largest are Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology (4,610), Anatomy (913) and Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology (475). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related 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 |
| Developmental Biology and Embryology | 104 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.