by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Molecular Biophysics explores Molecular Biophysics. A Scientific Program That Focuses On The Dynamics And Interactions Of Macromolecules And Other Three-Dimensional Ultrastructures, The Architecture Of Supramolecular Structures, And Energy Transfer In Biomolecular Systems. Includes Instruction In Energy Transduction, Structural Dynamics, Mechanisms Of Electron And Proton Transfer In Biological Systems, Bioinformatics, Automated Analysis, And Specialized Research Techniques. Read on to learn the key facts every molecular biophysics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering molecular biophysics programs.
In the U.S., molecular biophysics is a widely-pursued major, with 187 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Molecular Biophysics Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for molecular biophysics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of molecular biophysics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Molecular Biophysics develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations molecular biophysics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a molecular biophysics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a molecular biophysics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several molecular 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 166 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 21 |
People currently working in careers related to molecular biophysics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 16.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.3% |
| Master’s degree | 10.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.2% |
| Some college courses | 4.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in molecular biophysics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in molecular biophysics opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to molecular biophysics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to molecular 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% |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | 95,666 | 3.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of molecular 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 molecular biophysics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers molecular biophysics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $107,979 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 6 different molecular biophysics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased molecular biophysics school rankings to help you.
Students interested in molecular 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 |
| Biophysics | 345 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other | 316 |
| Radiation Biology/Radiobiology | 18 |
| Structural Biology | 14 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
