by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Clinical and Translational Science involves the study of A Program Of Study That Prepares Clinicians To Direct A Broad Range Of Scientific Or Clinical Or Translational Studies, Translate Scientific Knowledge Into Clinical Practice, And Bridge Clinical Science With Laboratory Investigations. Includes Instruction In Bioinformatics, Information Technology, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Grant Writing, Management And Analysis Of Clinical Data, Clinical And Translational Research Law And Policy, Responsible Conduct Of Research, And Scientific Writing. Continue reading for the essential details every clinical and translational science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering clinical and translational science programs.
In the U.S., clinical and translational science is a popular field of study, with 79 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Clinical and Translational Science Schools ranking analyzes these 13 schools to determine the best overall colleges for clinical and translational science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of clinical and translational science programs later in this article.
Coursework for Clinical and Translational Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations clinical and translational science graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a clinical and translational science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a clinical and translational science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several clinical and translational 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 8 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 51 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 20 |
People currently working in careers related to clinical and translational science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 35.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 24.7% |
| Master’s degree | 24.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 6.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in clinical and translational science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying clinical and translational science can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to clinical and translational science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to clinical and translational science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of clinical and translational science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $160,729 |
| 4 years | $166,630 |
| 5 years | $197,894 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for clinical and translational science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers clinical and translational science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
With 13 different clinical and translational science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased clinical and translational science school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in clinical and translational science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medical Science/Scientist | 1,047 |
| Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies, Other | 33 |
| Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain | 4 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
