by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 31 U.S. colleges awarded 235 degrees and certificates in Oncology & Cancer Biology. Doctorates are the most popular award, at 71% of graduates. College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Oncology & Cancer Biology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $31,856 one year after completing, rising to $64,772 after four years.
A degree in Oncology & Cancer Biology explores Oncology And Cancer Biology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Carcinogens; The Onset Of Malignancy In Cells, Tissues, Blood, And Organs; The Genetics Of Cancer; The Anatomy And Physiology Of Cancer Cells; And The Study Of Cancer Behaviors And Treatments. Includes Instruction In Gene Expression; Oncogenes And Tumor Suppressor Genes; Viral Genes And Cancer Proliferation; Regulation Of Signal Transduction; Cancer Proteins; Hormonal And Growth Factors In Cancer Cells; Tumor Promotion, Progression, And Metastasis; Carcinogen Receptors And Metabolism; Carcinogen Ecology; Immunological Targeting; And Studies Of Genetic, Chemical, Radiologic And Other Treatment Therapies.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., oncology & cancer biology is a popular field of study, with 235 degrees awarded annually. 31 colleges award oncology & cancer biology degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 20.
By level, the 235 awards include 19 bachelor’s degrees, 49 master’s degrees and 167 doctorates.
Women earned 62% of oncology & cancer biology degrees and certificates in the latest year (145 of 235). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (91) and Asian (31), and international students earned 64.
College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Oncology & Cancer Biology Schools ranking, including 1 for master’s degrees and 8 for doctorates. It also ranks oncology & cancer biology schools within 7 states. In all, 31 colleges offer oncology & cancer biology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Oncology & Cancer Biology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common oncology & cancer biology credential is the doctorate: 167 of the 235 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to oncology & cancer biology call most for Speaking, Writing and Active Learning, and for knowledge of Biology, English Language and Chemistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long an oncology & cancer biology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 19 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 49 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 167 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to oncology & cancer biology, at 44.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 34.2% |
| Master’s degree | 15.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 2.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Oncology & Cancer Biology, with an average median salary of $76,181; the strongest outlook belongs to Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, at 8.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Microbiology Instructor, Ornithology Teacher, Arboriculture Teacher and Plant Anatomy Teacher.
The occupation related to oncology & cancer biology 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% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
Oncology & Cancer Biology graduates earn a median $31,856 one year after completing their program, $64,772 after four years and $65,457 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $31,856 |
| 4 years | $64,772 |
| 5 years | $65,457 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to oncology & cancer biology, with a median salary of $111,314.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
Oncology & Cancer Biology has 12 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 12,497 degrees a year; the largest are Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology (8,412), Physiology, General (3,053) and Pathology/Experimental Pathology (310). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 8,412 |
| Physiology, General | 3,053 |
| Pathology/Experimental Pathology | 310 |
| Vision Science/Physiological Optics | 219 |
| Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other | 218 |
| Biomechanics | 70 |
| Cardiovascular Science | 61 |
| Molecular Physiology | 44 |
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine | 40 |
| Cell Physiology | 33 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
