by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Radiation Biology/Radiobiology explores Radiation Biology/radiobiology. A Program That Focuses On The Effects Of Radiation On Organisms And Biological Systems. Includes Instruction In Particle Physics, Ionization, And Biophysics Of Radiation Perturbations, Cellular And Organismic Repair Systems, Genetic And Pathological Effects Of Radiation, And The Measurement Of Radiation Dosages. Read on to learn the key facts every radiation biology/radiobiology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering radiation biology/radiobiology programs.
In the U.S., radiation biology/radiobiology is a widely-pursued major, with 18 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Radiation Biology/Radiobiology Schools ranking analyzes these 4 schools to determine the best overall colleges for radiation biology/radiobiology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of radiation biology/radiobiology programs later in this article.
Studies in Radiation Biology/Radiobiology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations radiation biology/radiobiology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a radiation biology/radiobiology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a radiation biology/radiobiology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several radiation biology/radiobiology 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 | 9 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to radiation biology/radiobiology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 20.0% |
| Master’s degree | 17.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.9% |
| Some college courses | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in radiation biology/radiobiology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in radiation biology/radiobiology opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to radiation biology/radiobiology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to radiation biology/radiobiology.
| 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% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | 23,620 | 9.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of radiation biology/radiobiology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 radiation biology/radiobiology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers radiation biology/radiobiology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
| Geneticists | $48,526 |
With 4 different radiation biology/radiobiology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased radiation biology/radiobiology school rankings to help you.
Those considering radiation biology/radiobiology, 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 |
| Molecular Biophysics | 187 |
| Structural Biology | 14 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
