by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 36 U.S. colleges awarded 310 degrees and certificates in Pathology/Experimental Pathology. Doctorates are the most popular award, at 53% of graduates. College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Pathology/Experimental Pathology 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 major in Pathology/Experimental Pathology explores Pathology/experimental Pathology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Expression, Initiation, Maintenance And Progression Of Tissue Injury And Disease, Including Death, And The Relationship Of Pathogenesis To Fundamental Molecular And Cellular Mechanisms. Includes Instruction In Immunology, Microbiology, Gene Expression, Inflammation, Cell Injury, Apoptosis, Immunopathology, Molecular Markers Of Disease And Toxins, Neoplasia, Growth Regulation, And Organ- And System-Specific Investigations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, pathology/experimental pathology draws strong interest, with 310 degrees awarded annually. 36 colleges award pathology/experimental pathology degrees, an average of 9 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 39.
By level, the 310 awards include 35 bachelor’s degrees, 110 master’s degrees and 165 doctorates.
Women earned 66% of pathology/experimental pathology degrees and certificates in the latest year (205 of 310). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (142) and Asian (32), and international students earned 62.
College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Pathology/Experimental Pathology Schools ranking, including 4 for bachelor’s degrees, 1 for master’s degrees and 5 for doctorates. It also ranks pathology/experimental pathology schools within 5 states. In all, 36 colleges offer pathology/experimental pathology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Pathology/Experimental Pathology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common pathology/experimental pathology credential is the doctorate: 165 of the 310 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to pathology/experimental pathology call most for Reading Comprehension, Writing and Active Listening, 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a pathology/experimental pathology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 35 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 110 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 165 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to pathology/experimental pathology, at 31.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 20.3% |
| Master’s degree | 18.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to Pathology/Experimental Pathology, with an average median salary of $94,994; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Trials Manager, Clinical Project Manager, Research Coordinator and Scientist.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to pathology/experimental pathology, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Pathology/Experimental Pathology 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 highest-paying occupation related to pathology/experimental pathology 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 |
Pathology/Experimental Pathology has 12 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 12,422 degrees a year; the largest are Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology (8,412), Physiology, General (3,053) and Oncology and Cancer Biology (235). 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 |
| Oncology and Cancer Biology | 235 |
| 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.
