by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 105 U.S. colleges awarded 4,610 degrees and certificates in Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 79% of graduates. College Factual ranks 58 schools in its 2027 Best Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology 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/Cellular & Molecular Biology involves the study of Cell/cellular And Molecular Biology. An Integrated, Combined Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Cells, Cellular Systems, And The Molecular Basis Of Cell Structure And Function. Includes Instruction In Cell Biology, Cell Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, And Structural Biology.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, cell/cellular & molecular biology is a popular field of study, with 4,610 degrees awarded annually. 105 colleges award cell/cellular & molecular biology degrees, an average of 44 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 813.
By level, the 4,610 awards include 3 associate degrees, 3,658 bachelor’s degrees, 471 master’s degrees and 478 doctorates.
Women earned 64% of cell/cellular & molecular biology degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,955 of 4,610). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,735) and Asian (1,229), and international students earned 462.
College Factual ranks 58 schools in its 2027 Best Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools ranking, including 39 for bachelor’s degrees, 10 for master’s degrees and 19 for doctorates. It also ranks cell/cellular & molecular biology schools within 23 states. In all, 105 colleges offer cell/cellular & molecular biology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common cell/cellular & molecular biology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 3,658 of the 4,610 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to cell/cellular & molecular biology call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening 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 Oral Comprehension.
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How long a cell/cellular & molecular biology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,658 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 471 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 478 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to cell/cellular & molecular biology, at 33.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.2% |
| Master’s degree | 19.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 18.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.3% |
| Some college courses | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
11 occupations are related to Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology, with an average median salary of $95,464; the strongest outlook belongs to Biological Technicians, at 12.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Trials Manager, Clinical Project Manager, Research Coordinator and Research Scientist.
The occupation related to cell/cellular & molecular biology with the most projected jobs is Clinical Research Coordinators, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| 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% |
Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology 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/cellular & molecular biology 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 |
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology has 5 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 2,063 degrees a year; the largest are Anatomy (913), 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
