by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Physiology explores Physiology, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Functional Dynamics, Morphology, And Biochemical And Biophysical Communications Within Organisms And Between Living Systems At All Levels Of Complexity And Integration. Includes Instruction In Reproduction, Growth, Hormonal Action, Vascular Function, Respiration, Digestion, Sensory Perception And Processing, Sensorimotor Integration, Signal Encoding And Conveyance, Homeostasis, Physical Function And Malfunction, Evolutionary Physiology, And Disease Processes. Continue reading for the essential details every general physiology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general physiology programs.
Nationwide, general physiology draws strong interest, with 2,816 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Physiology Schools ranking analyzes these 72 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general physiology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general physiology programs later in this article.
Programs in General Physiology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general physiology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a general physiology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a general physiology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 76 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,829 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 781 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 130 |
People currently working in careers related to general 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general physiology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying general physiology prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general physiology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general 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 general physiology 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 general physiology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general physiology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 72 different general physiology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general physiology school rankings to help you.
Those considering general 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 |
| 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 |
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine | 40 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
