by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Biophysics covers Biophysics. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Physics Principles To The Scientific Study Of The Mechanisms Of Biological Processes And Assemblies At All Levels Of Complexity. Includes Instruction In Research Methods And Equipment Operation And Applications To Subjects Such As Bioenergetics, Biophysical Theory And Modeling, Electrophysics, Membrane Biology, Channels, Receptors And Transporters, Contractility And Muscle Function, Protein Shaping And Folding, Molecular And Supramolecular Structures And Assemblies, And Computational Science. Read on to learn the essential details every biophysics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering biophysics programs.
Across the country, biophysics is a popular field of study, with 345 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Biophysics Schools ranking analyzes these 55 schools to determine the best overall colleges for biophysics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biophysics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Biophysics develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations biophysics graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a biophysics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a biophysics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several biophysics degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 156 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 62 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 127 |
People currently working in careers related to biophysics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 35.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 18.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 17.4% |
| Master’s degree | 12.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in biophysics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in biophysics prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to biophysics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biophysics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | 95,666 | 3.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of biophysics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,812 |
| 4 years | $57,445 |
| 5 years | $71,613 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for biophysics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers biophysics grads often go into.
| 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 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $107,979 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 55 different biophysics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased biophysics school rankings to help you.
Students interested in biophysics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry | 9,737 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 1,482 |
| Molecular Biology | 1,255 |
| Molecular Biochemistry | 466 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other | 316 |
| Molecular Biophysics | 187 |
| Radiation Biology/Radiobiology | 18 |
| Structural Biology | 14 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
