by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Developmental Biology & Embryology explores Developmental Biology And Embryology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Embryology, Development, And Growth Of Animals And Human Beings. Includes Instruction In Fertilization, Oogenesis, Histogenesis, Gastrulation, And Cell Differentiation; Embryological Development Including Organ And Pattern Formation, Morphogenesis, Gene Regulation, Cell Lineage, And Fate Maps; Disease And Defect Studies; Transgenic And Evolutionary Models Of Growth And Development; And Applications To Specific Organisms And Phyla. Read on to learn the essential details every developmental biology & embryology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering developmental biology & embryology programs.
Nationwide, developmental biology & embryology draws strong interest, with 88 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Developmental Biology & Embryology Schools ranking analyzes these 8 schools to determine the best overall colleges for developmental biology & embryology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of developmental biology & embryology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Developmental Biology & Embryology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations developmental biology & embryology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a developmental biology & embryology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a developmental biology & embryology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several developmental biology & embryology 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 | 35 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 15 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 38 |
People currently working in careers related to developmental biology & embryology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 30.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 26.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 24.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in developmental biology & embryology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in developmental biology & embryology prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to developmental biology & embryology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to developmental biology & embryology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | 23,620 | 9.2% |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | 11,006 | 5.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of developmental biology & embryology 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 developmental biology & embryology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers developmental biology & embryology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
| Geneticists | $48,526 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 8 different developmental biology & embryology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased developmental biology & embryology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in developmental biology & embryology, 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 |
| Anatomy | 902 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology | 486 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other | 264 |
| Cell Biology and Anatomy | 127 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
