by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 69 U.S. colleges awarded 1,070 degrees and certificates in Medical Scientist. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 76% of graduates. College Factual ranks 34 schools in its 2027 Best Medical Scientist Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $160,729 one year after completing, rising to $197,150 after four years.
Studying Medical Scientist involves the study of Medical Science/scientist. An Undifferentiated Clinical Science Program That Prepares Clinicians To Conduct Clinical And Translational Research In Various Areas. Note: Programs That Prepare Clinicians To Conduct Research In Specific Scientific Fields Should Report Under The Relevant Cip Code Series (E.g., Series 26 Biological And Biomedical Sciences). Examples: [Medical Scientist (Ms)], [Medical Scientist (Phd)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., medical scientist is a widely-pursued major, with 1,070 degrees awarded annually. 69 colleges award medical scientist degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 138.
By level, the 1,070 awards include 818 master’s degrees and 252 doctorates.
Women earned 64% of medical scientist degrees and certificates in the latest year (686 of 1,070). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (505) and Asian (134), and international students earned 131.
College Factual ranks 34 schools in its 2027 Best Medical Scientist Schools ranking, including 29 for master’s degrees and 3 for doctorates. It also ranks medical scientist schools within 16 states. In all, 69 colleges offer medical scientist programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Medical Scientist Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common medical scientist credential is the master’s degree: 818 of the 1,070 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to medical scientist call most for Reading Comprehension, Writing and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Biology and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Comprehension and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a medical scientist degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 818 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 252 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to medical scientist, at 38.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.8% |
| Master’s degree | 23.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.5% |
| Some college courses | 4.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Medical Scientist, with an average median salary of $124,365; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Trials Manager, Research Coordinator, Clinical Project Manager and Clinical Trial Coordinator.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to medical scientist, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Epidemiologists | 190,675 | 3.2% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Medical Scientist graduates earn a median $160,729 one year after completing their program, $197,150 after four years and $197,894 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $160,729 |
| 4 years | $197,150 |
| 5 years | $197,894 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to medical scientist 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 |
| Epidemiologists | $87,636 |
Medical Scientist has 3 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 153 degrees a year; the largest are Clinical and Translational Science (90), Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies, Other (57) and Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain (6). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Clinical and Translational Science | 90 |
| Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies, Other | 57 |
| Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain | 6 |
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