by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Pathology/Experimental Pathology explores Pathology/experimental Pathology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Expression, Initiation, Maintenance And Progression Of Tissue Injury And Disease, Including Death, And The Relationship Of Pathogenesis To Fundamental Molecular And Cellular Mechanisms. Includes Instruction In Immunology, Microbiology, Gene Expression, Inflammation, Cell Injury, Apoptosis, Immunopathology, Molecular Markers Of Disease And Toxins, Neoplasia, Growth Regulation, And Organ- And System-Specific Investigations. Continue reading for the key facts every pathology/experimental pathology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering pathology/experimental pathology programs.
Across the country, pathology/experimental pathology draws strong interest, with 306 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Pathology/Experimental Pathology Schools ranking analyzes these 35 schools to determine the best overall colleges for pathology/experimental pathology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of pathology/experimental pathology programs later in this article.
Programs in Pathology/Experimental Pathology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations pathology/experimental pathology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a pathology/experimental pathology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a pathology/experimental pathology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several pathology/experimental pathology 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 | 28 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 126 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 152 |
People currently working in careers related to pathology/experimental pathology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 20.3% |
| Master’s degree | 18.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in pathology/experimental pathology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in pathology/experimental pathology opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to pathology/experimental pathology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to pathology/experimental pathology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of pathology/experimental pathology 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 pathology/experimental pathology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers pathology/experimental pathology 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 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
With 35 different pathology/experimental pathology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased pathology/experimental pathology school rankings to help you.
Those considering pathology/experimental pathology, 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 |
| 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 |
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine | 40 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
