by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Cardiovascular Science explores Cardiovascular Science. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Structure And Functioning Of The Heart, Vascular System, And Blood In Animals And Human Beings And The Disorders And Diseases Associated With The Cardiovascular System. Includes Instruction In Cardiovascular Physiology, Blood Physiology, Vasculature, Vascular Metabolism, Neural Control Of Cardiovascular Function, Microvascular Permeability And Membrane Transport, Cardiac Contraction Mechanisms, Homeostasis, And Applications To Topics Such As Arteriosclerosis, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Vascular Remodeling, Transplantation, Transfusion, And Pacemakers And Artificial Organs. Continue reading for the important information every cardiovascular science student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering cardiovascular science programs.
Across the country, cardiovascular science is a widely-pursued major, with 62 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Cardiovascular Science Schools ranking analyzes these 4 schools to determine the best overall colleges for cardiovascular science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cardiovascular science programs later in this article.
Studies in Cardiovascular Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cardiovascular science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a cardiovascular science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a cardiovascular science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several cardiovascular science 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 | 12 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 48 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to cardiovascular science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 34.2% |
| Master’s degree | 15.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 2.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.9% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in cardiovascular science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying cardiovascular science can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to cardiovascular science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cardiovascular science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of cardiovascular science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 cardiovascular science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers cardiovascular science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 4 different cardiovascular science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased cardiovascular science school rankings to help you.
Those considering cardiovascular science, 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 |
| Molecular Physiology | 52 |
| Cell Physiology | 51 |
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine | 40 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
