by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Aerospace Physiology & Medicine explores Aerospace Physiology And Medicine. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Physiological Processes Involved In Low And High-Altitude Flight And Living In Space And Related Low-Pressure And Low-Gravity Environments, Including Sensorimotor Interactions, Response Mechanisms, And The Effects Of Injury, Disease, And Disability. Includes Instruction In Anatomy, Molecular And Cellular Basis Of Muscle Contraction, Fuel Utilization, Neurophysiology Of Motor Mechanics, Systemic Physiological Responses (Respiration, Blood Flow, Endocrine Secretions, And Others), Fatigue And Exhaustion, Systemic Environmental Pathologies, Muscle And Body Training, Physiology Of Specific Exercises And Activities, Physiology Of Injury, And The Effects Of Disabilities And Disease. Read on to learn the essential details every aerospace physiology & medicine major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering aerospace physiology & medicine programs.
In the U.S., aerospace physiology & medicine draws strong interest, with 40 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Aerospace Physiology & Medicine Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for aerospace physiology & medicine students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of aerospace physiology & medicine programs later in this article.
Coursework for Aerospace Physiology & Medicine emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations aerospace physiology & medicine graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a aerospace physiology & medicine program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a aerospace physiology & medicine major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several aerospace physiology & medicine 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 | 38 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to aerospace physiology & medicine tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 15.5% |
| Master’s degree | 13.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.1% |
| Some college courses | 4.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in aerospace physiology & medicine careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying aerospace physiology & medicine opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to aerospace physiology & medicine.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to aerospace physiology & medicine.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of aerospace physiology & medicine graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,024 |
| 4 years | $53,598 |
| 5 years | $65,802 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for aerospace physiology & medicine graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers aerospace physiology & medicine 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 Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 2 different aerospace physiology & medicine programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased aerospace physiology & medicine school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in aerospace physiology & medicine, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 7,132 |
| Physiology, General | 2,816 |
| Pathology/Experimental Pathology | 306 |
| Vision Science/Physiological Optics | 269 |
| Oncology and Cancer Biology | 193 |
| Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other | 148 |
| Biomechanics | 62 |
| Cardiovascular Science | 62 |
| Molecular Physiology | 52 |
| Cell Physiology | 51 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
