Best colleges for Physiology in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-Davis, California Baptist University and University of California-Los Angeles are the top bachelor's Physiology programs in California by graduate earnings. University of California-Davis leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,550, College Scorecard. University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Davis and Golden West College award the most Physiology degrees in California: 254, 107 and 102 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 California colleges offer Physiology and award 738 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Physiology program, officially titled Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences, is a branch of biological and biomedical sciences focused on the study of functions and mechanisms in living systems. This program is ideal for students…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Davis Davis Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,550 | 107 | 86% | — | $14,598 |
| 2 | California Baptist University Riverside Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,146 | 35 | 62% | $26,940 | $23,125 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,151 | 254 | 93% | — | $17,049 |
Colleges awarding the most Physiology degrees in California
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles Public | 254 | $23,151 |
| 2 | University of California-Davis Davis Public | 107 | $37,550 |
| 3 | Golden West College Huntington Beach Public | 102 | Not reported |
| 4 | Glendale Community College Glendale Public | 77 | Not reported |
| 5 | California Baptist University Riverside Private not-for-profit | 35 | $31,146 |
| 6 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 33 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of California-Irvine Irvine Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 8 | Chapman University Orange Private not-for-profit | 22 | Not reported |
| 9 | Stanford University Stanford Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 10 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut Public | 7 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 California colleges offering Physiology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel University (Online) | Carpinteria | Private for-profit | 38 |
| San Diego State University | San Diego | Public | 7 |
| University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley | Public | 6 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | Public | 6 |
| Fresno Pacific University | Fresno | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Exercise Physiologists (SOC 29-1128).
Top skills
What Exercise Physiologists earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physiology programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Physiology degrees?+
University of California-Los Angeles (254 graduates a year), University of California-Davis (107 graduates a year) and Golden West College (102 graduates a year) award the most Physiology degrees in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 California colleges offer Physiology.
What is the best college for Physiology in California?+
By graduate earnings, University of California-Davis leads among bachelor's Physiology programs in California, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,550, College Scorecard. California Baptist University and University of California-Los Angeles follow. By degrees awarded, University of California-Los Angeles is the largest, with 254 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Physiology program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of California-Davis tops the list at $37,550. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Exercise Physiologists earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Exercise Physiologists in California is $69,250 (median $62,440), across about 640 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Physiology program?+
The Physiology program, officially titled Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences, is a branch of biological and biomedical sciences focused on the study of functions and mechanisms in living systems. This program is ideal for students…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Exercise Physiologists?+
The national job outlook is about +9.5% growth with around 1,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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