by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Cell Physiology covers Cell Physiology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Physiological Processes Operating Within And Among Cells, And Intracellular Communication And Behavior, In The Context Of Larger Systems And Whole Organisms. Includes Instruction In Cell And Molecular Biology, Molecular Physiology, Cell Cycle Control, Signal Transduction, Protein Structure, Membrane Biochemistry And Structure, Ion Channel Physics, Cell Respiration And Digestion, Secretory Functions, Cell Adhesion And Communication, Information Encoding And Decoding, And The Relation Of Cell Physiology To Tissue, Organ, And Organismic Functioning. Continue reading for the essential details every cell physiology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering cell physiology programs.
Nationwide, cell physiology is a widely-pursued major, with 51 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Cell Physiology Schools ranking analyzes these 7 schools to determine the best overall colleges for cell physiology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cell physiology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Cell Physiology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cell physiology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a cell physiology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a cell physiology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several cell physiology 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 | 2 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 18 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 31 |
People currently working in careers related to cell physiology 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 cell physiology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying cell physiology opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to cell physiology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cell physiology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of cell physiology 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 cell physiology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers cell physiology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 7 different cell physiology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased cell physiology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in cell physiology, 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 |
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine | 40 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
