by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Molecular Biology explores Molecular Biology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Structure And Function Of Biological Macromolecules And The Role Of Molecular Constituents And Mechanisms In Supramolecular Assemblies And Cells. Includes Instruction In Such Topics As Molecular Signaling And Transduction, Regulation Of Cell Growth, Enzyme Substrates And Mechanisms Of Enzyme Action, Dna-Protein Interaction, And Applications To Fields Such As Biotechnology, Genetics, Cell Biology, And Physiology. Read on to learn the essential details every molecular biology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering molecular biology programs.
Across the country, molecular biology is a popular field of study, with 1,255 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Molecular Biology Schools ranking analyzes these 77 schools to determine the best overall colleges for molecular biology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of molecular biology programs later in this article.
Programs in Molecular Biology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations molecular biology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a molecular biology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a molecular biology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several molecular biology 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 | 865 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 241 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 149 |
People currently working in careers related to molecular biology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in molecular biology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying molecular biology prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to molecular biology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to molecular biology.
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of molecular biology 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 molecular biology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers molecular biology 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 |
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
With 77 different molecular biology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased molecular biology school rankings to help you.
Those considering molecular biology, 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 Biochemistry | 466 |
| Biophysics | 345 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other | 316 |
| Molecular Biophysics | 187 |
| Radiation Biology/Radiobiology | 18 |
| Structural Biology | 14 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
