by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Anatomy explores Anatomy. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Organ Systems, Tissue Structures, And Whole Bodies Together With Their Cellular And Structural Components And Dynamics. Includes Instruction In Cell Biology And Histology, Structural Biology, Molecular Mechanics, Regional And Gross Anatomy, Embryology, Neuroanatomy, Endocrinology And Secretory Dynamics, And Applications To Such Topics As Aging And Disease Conditions. Continue reading for the essential details every anatomy student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering anatomy programs.
In the U.S., anatomy is a popular field of study, with 902 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Anatomy Schools ranking analyzes these 37 schools to determine the best overall colleges for anatomy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of anatomy programs later in this article.
Programs in Anatomy emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations anatomy graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a anatomy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a anatomy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several anatomy 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 | 686 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 177 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 39 |
People currently working in careers related to anatomy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 25.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 19.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.3% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in anatomy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in anatomy prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to anatomy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to anatomy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| 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% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of anatomy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,752 |
| 4 years | $59,833 |
| 5 years | $74,905 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for anatomy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers anatomy 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 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
With 37 different anatomy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased anatomy school rankings to help you.
Students interested in anatomy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4,488 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology | 486 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other | 264 |
| Cell Biology and Anatomy | 127 |
| Developmental Biology and Embryology | 88 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
