by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Toxicology covers Toxicology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Poisons And Other Biohazards; Their Interactions With Organisms And Their Food And Respiratory Systems; And Their Prevention, Management, And Counteraction. Includes Instruction In Toxicological Biochemistry, Toxic Agents And Transporters, Toxin Fate, Toxicokinetics And Metabolism, Toxin Classification, Molecular Toxic Mechanisms, Extracellular Matrices And Cell Function, Bacterial Pathogenesis And Mutagenesis, Pathophysiology And Apoptosis, Cell Stress And Injury, Studies Of Specific Toxins, And Studies Of Specific Organ Systems And Physiological Functions In Relation To Toxicological Problems. Continue reading for the important information every toxicology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering toxicology programs.
In the U.S., toxicology is a widely-pursued major, with 152 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Toxicology Schools ranking analyzes these 30 schools to determine the best overall colleges for toxicology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of toxicology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Toxicology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations toxicology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a toxicology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a toxicology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several toxicology 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 | 48 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 52 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 52 |
People currently working in careers related to toxicology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 29.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 18.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 17.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.5% |
| Some college courses | 1.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in toxicology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in toxicology prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to toxicology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to toxicology.
| 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% |
| Climate Change Policy Analysts | 173,597 | 7.1% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Industrial Ecologists | 136,627 | 8.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of toxicology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $58,787 |
| 4 years | $74,178 |
| 5 years | $91,829 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for toxicology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers toxicology 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 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $90,139 |
| Industrial Ecologists | $83,212 |
With 30 different toxicology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased toxicology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in toxicology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology | 483 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | 252 |
| Molecular Pharmacology | 85 |
| Environmental Toxicology | 78 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology, Other | 53 |
| Neuropharmacology | 39 |
| Molecular Toxicology | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
