Best Medical Scientist programs in Massachusetts, ranked by enrollment
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health.
34 schools in Massachusetts run programs that feed this job, graduating 2,743 people a year. The job pays a median of $128,210 in Massachusetts across about 17,100 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in Massachusetts that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
32 programs in Massachusetts that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in Massachusetts (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Massachusetts page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 26.1309In Massachusetts → | 426 | 15.5% | 5 | $29,460 | $23,480 |
| 2 | CIP 26.0202In Massachusetts → | 418 | 15.2% | 21 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 3 | CIP 26.0102In Massachusetts → | 299 | 10.9% | 8 | $32,152 | $25,000 |
| 4 | CIP 51.2010In Massachusetts → | 276 | 10.1% | 4 | $48,728 | $23,761 |
| 5 | CIP 26.0406In Massachusetts → | 223 | 8.1% | 6 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 6 | CIP 26.0908In Massachusetts → | 210 | 7.7% | 4 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 7 | CIP 26.0901In Massachusetts → | 141 | 5.1% | 2 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 8 | CIP 26.1102In Massachusetts → | 126 | 4.6% | 4 | $72,338 | $18,500 |
| 9 | Biopsychologymain feeder CIP 30.1001In Massachusetts → | 112 | 4.1% | 2 | $43,343 | $22,125 |
| 10 | CIP 26.0204In Massachusetts → | 98 | 3.6% | 3 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 11 | CIP 51.1401In Massachusetts → | 69 | 2.5% | 2 | $223,926 | $16,250 |
| 12 | CIP 26.0404In Massachusetts → | 52 | 1.9% | 1 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 13 | CIP 51.2202In Massachusetts → | 51 | 1.9% | 4 | $36,762 | $25,076 |
| 14 | CIP 26.0509In Massachusetts → | 42 | 1.5% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 15 | CIP 30.1101In Massachusetts → | 32 | 1.2% | 3 | $37,623 | $25,986 |
| 16 | CIP 26.1503In Massachusetts → | 22 | 0.8% | 1 | $31,687 | $22,936 |
| 17 | CIP 26.0203In Massachusetts → | 21 | 0.8% | 3 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 18 | CIP 51.2003In Massachusetts → | 21 | 0.8% | 2 | $48,728 | $23,761 |
| 19 | CIP 26.0507In Massachusetts → | 20 | 0.7% | 2 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 20 | CIP 26.1001In Massachusetts → | 19 | 0.7% | 3 | $39,202 | $18,000 |
| 21 | CIP 26.0403In Massachusetts → | 12 | 0.4% | 1 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 22 | CIP 45.0205In Massachusetts → | 8 | 0.3% | 1 | $27,806 | $23,000 |
| 23 | CIP 26.0909In Massachusetts → | 7 | 0.3% | 1 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 24 | CIP 51.2004In Massachusetts → | 7 | 0.3% | 2 | $48,728 | $23,761 |
| 25 | CIP 26.0504In Massachusetts → | 5 | 0.2% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 26 | CIP 26.0508In Massachusetts → | 5 | 0.2% | 2 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 27 | CIP 26.1007In Massachusetts → | 5 | 0.2% | 1 | $39,202 | $18,000 |
| 28 | CIP 26.1599In Massachusetts → | 5 | 0.2% | 1 | $31,687 | $22,936 |
| 29 | CIP 26.0401In Massachusetts → | 3 | 0.1% | 1 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 30 | CIP 26.0910In Massachusetts → | 3 | 0.1% | 1 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 31 | CIP 51.1499In Massachusetts → | 3 | 0.1% | 1 | $223,926 | $16,250 |
| 32 | CIP 26.0806In Massachusetts → | 2 | 0.1% | 1 | $31,800 | $21,424 |
Top 25 schools in Massachusetts
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 7 of the 34 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 11 feeder programs | 545 | Epidemiology | — | 89% | $21,956 | 11% |
| 2 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · 14 feeder programs | 535 | Epidemiology | $31,999 | 98% | $15,013 | 4% |
| 3 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · 9 feeder programs | 307 | Biomedical Sciences, General | $39,016 | 94% | $23,570 | 11% |
| 4 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 290 | Pharmaceutical Sciences | $47,882 | 62% | $35,358 | 85% |
| 5 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs | 287 | Biochemistry | $63,781 | 91% | $18,925 | 5% |
| 6 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MA Public · 5 feeder programs | 219 | Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | $31,915 | 83% | — | 60% |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Worcester, MA Public · 1 feeder programs | 59 | Biomedical Sciences, General | — | — | — | — |
| 8 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA Public · 2 feeder programs | 57 | Pharmaceutical Sciences | — | 65% | — | 83% |
| 9 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA Public · 2 feeder programs | 56 | Gerontology | — | 49% | — | 84% |
| 10 | Brandeis University Waltham, MA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 50 | Biochemistry | $47,410 | 86% | $25,074 | 40% |
| 11 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 39 | Biochemistry | — | 90% | $32,926 | 60% |
| 12 | Simmons University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 32 | Biopsychology | — | 72% | $24,848 | 70% |
| 13 | Western New England University Springfield, MA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 30 | Pharmaceutical Sciences | — | 64% | $29,327 | 83% |
| 14 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 25 | Biochemistry | $42,474 | 91% | $21,126 | 16% |
| 15 | Gordon College Wenham, MA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 22 | Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | — | 69% | $23,077 | 69% |
| 16 | Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, MA Public · 2 feeder programs | 21 | Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | — | 55% | — | 87% |
| 17 | College of Our Lady of the Elms Chicopee, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 20 | Biomedical Sciences, General | — | 68% | $21,982 | 85% |
| 18 | Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 20 | Biochemistry | — | 84% | $26,083 | 36% |
| 19 | Wellesley College Wellesley, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 19 | Biochemistry | — | 92% | $19,292 | 14% |
| 20 | Smith College Northampton, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 17 | Biochemistry | — | 89% | $17,183 | 21% |
| 21 | Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Norton, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 17 | Biochemistry | — | 73% | $26,445 | 68% |
| 22 | Merrimack College North Andover, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 11 | Biochemistry | — | 70% | $33,877 | 70% |
| 23 | Curry College Milton, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 8 | Biochemistry | — | 51% | $28,321 | 88% |
| 24 | Emmanuel College Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 8 | Biochemistry | — | 68% | $29,723 | 76% |
| 25 | New England College of Optometry Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 7 | Vision Science/Physiological Optics | — | — | — | — |
All 34 schools in Massachusetts
Every school in Massachusetts with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston University | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 545 | 11 |
| Harvard University | Cambridge | Private not-for-profit | 535 | 14 |
| Tufts University | Medford | Private not-for-profit | 307 | 9 |
| Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 290 | 7 |
| Northeastern University | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 287 | 8 |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst | Amherst | Public | 219 | 5 |
| University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School | Worcester | Public | 59 | 1 |
| University of Massachusetts - Lowell | Lowell | Public | 57 | 2 |
| University of Massachusetts - Boston | Boston | Public | 56 | 2 |
| Brandeis University | Waltham | Private not-for-profit | 50 | 3 |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Worcester | Private not-for-profit | 39 | 1 |
| Simmons University | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 32 | 1 |
| Western New England University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 30 | 3 |
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill | Private not-for-profit | 25 | 1 |
| Gordon College | Wenham | Private not-for-profit | 22 | 2 |
What medical scientists earn in Massachusetts
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $103,410. Massachusetts pays above the national figure.
Concentrated here: Massachusetts employs more of this job per worker than the U.S. average.
Metro areas in Massachusetts
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.
How to get in
The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Medical Scientists page.
How to become a Medical Scientist
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Top skills
The same job in other states
Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.
Related careers in Massachusetts
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to Medical Scientists25 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 26.0102Biomedical Sciences, General
- 26.0202Biochemistry
- 26.0203Biophysics
- 26.0204Molecular Biology
- 26.0205Molecular Biochemistry
- 26.0401Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
- 26.0403Anatomy
- 26.0404Developmental Biology and Embryology
- 26.0406Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
- 26.0407Cell Biology and Anatomy
- 26.0503Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
- 26.0504Virology
- 26.0505Parasitology
- 26.0507Immunology
- 26.0508Microbiology and Immunology
- 26.0509Infectious Disease and Global Health
- 26.0806Human/Medical Genetics
- 26.0901Physiology, General
- 26.0902Molecular Physiology
- 26.0903Cell Physiology
- 26.0904Endocrinology
- 26.0905Reproductive Biology
- 26.0907Cardiovascular Science
- 26.0908Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology
- 26.0909Vision Science/Physiological Optics
Common questions
Answers for people weighing medical scientists programs in Massachusetts.
What degree do you need to become a Medical Scientist?+
Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Epidemiology, which awarded 426 degrees in Massachusetts in 2024-25, 15.5% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Medical Scientist?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 32 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biochemistry, Ecology, Physiology, Pharmacy, plus 12 more. Together they graduate about 2,743 people a year in Massachusetts.
How much do medical scientists earn in Massachusetts?+
The median is $128,210 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 24.0% above the U.S. median of $103,410. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for medical scientists growing?+
BLS projects a +8.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, much faster than average, with roughly 9,600 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career in Massachusetts?+
34 institutions in Massachusetts reported graduates from at least one of the 32 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do medical scientists work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Scientist, Study Director, Research Scientist, Clinical Research Scientist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 19-1042.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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