by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology involves the study of Cell/cellular And Molecular Biology. An Integrated, Combined Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Cells, Cellular Systems, And The Molecular Basis Of Cell Structure And Function. Includes Instruction In Cell Biology, Cell Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, And Structural Biology. Read on to learn the essential details every cell/cellular & molecular biology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering cell/cellular & molecular biology programs.
Nationwide, cell/cellular & molecular biology is a popular field of study, with 4,488 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools ranking analyzes these 99 schools to determine the best overall colleges for cell/cellular & molecular biology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cell/cellular & molecular biology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a cell/cellular & molecular biology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a cell/cellular & molecular biology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several cell/cellular & 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,527 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 450 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 505 |
People currently working in careers related to cell/cellular & 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in cell/cellular & molecular biology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in cell/cellular & molecular biology can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to cell/cellular & molecular biology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cell/cellular & 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 cell/cellular & molecular biology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers cell/cellular & 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 99 different cell/cellular & molecular biology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased cell/cellular & molecular biology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in cell/cellular & molecular biology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Anatomy | 902 |
| 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.
