Best Medical Scientist programs in North Carolina, ranked by enrollment
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health.
29 schools in North Carolina run programs that feed this job, graduating 1,793 people a year. The job pays a median of $102,980 in North Carolina across about 5,730 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in North Carolina that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
33 programs in North Carolina that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in North Carolina (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 North Carolina page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 26.0908In North Carolina → | 759 | 42.3% | 8 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 2 | CIP 26.0202In North Carolina → | 197 | 11.0% | 18 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 3 | CIP 26.1102In North Carolina → | 144 | 8.0% | 2 | $72,338 | $18,500 |
| 4 | CIP 26.0102In North Carolina → | 139 | 7.8% | 12 | $32,152 | $25,000 |
| 5 | CIP 26.0901In North Carolina → | 75 | 4.2% | 2 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 6 | CIP 51.2202In North Carolina → | 65 | 3.6% | 4 | $36,762 | $25,076 |
| 7 | CIP 26.1309In North Carolina → | 45 | 2.5% | 2 | $29,460 | $23,480 |
| 8 | CIP 30.1101In North Carolina → | 43 | 2.4% | 4 | $37,623 | $25,986 |
| 9 | CIP 26.0403In North Carolina → | 40 | 2.2% | 1 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 10 | CIP 26.0509In North Carolina → | 38 | 2.1% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 11 | CIP 51.2003In North Carolina → | 36 | 2.0% | 1 | $48,728 | $23,761 |
| 12 | CIP 26.0910In North Carolina → | 22 | 1.2% | 2 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 13 | CIP 26.1001In North Carolina → | 20 | 1.1% | 2 | $39,202 | $18,000 |
| 14 | CIP 26.1004In North Carolina → | 18 | 1.0% | 3 | $39,202 | $18,000 |
| 15 | CIP 26.0401In North Carolina → | 16 | 0.9% | 1 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 16 | CIP 26.0406In North Carolina → | 15 | 0.8% | 1 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 17 | CIP 51.2010In North Carolina → | 15 | 0.8% | 2 | $48,728 | $23,761 |
| 18 | CIP 26.0204In North Carolina → | 13 | 0.7% | 3 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 19 | CIP 51.1499In North Carolina → | 12 | 0.7% | 1 | $223,926 | $16,250 |
| 20 | CIP 26.0503In North Carolina → | 10 | 0.6% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 21 | CIP 51.1401In North Carolina → | 10 | 0.6% | 2 | $223,926 | $16,250 |
| 22 | Molecular Medicinemain feeder CIP 26.1401In North Carolina → | 9 | 0.5% | 1 | — | — |
| 23 | CIP 26.0404In North Carolina → | 9 | 0.5% | 1 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 24 | CIP 26.0806In North Carolina → | 8 | 0.4% | 1 | $31,800 | $21,424 |
| 25 | CIP 26.0507In North Carolina → | 7 | 0.4% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 26 | CIP 45.0205In North Carolina → | 7 | 0.4% | 2 | $27,806 | $23,000 |
| 27 | CIP 26.0903In North Carolina → | 6 | 0.3% | 1 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 28 | CIP 51.1402In North Carolina → | 6 | 0.3% | 1 | $223,926 | $16,250 |
| 29 | CIP 26.0203In North Carolina → | 3 | 0.2% | 3 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 30 | CIP 26.0999In North Carolina → | 3 | 0.2% | 1 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 31 | CIP 26.0508In North Carolina → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 32 | CIP 26.0911In North Carolina → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 33 | CIP 51.2004In North Carolina → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $48,728 | $23,761 |
Top 25 schools in North Carolina
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 7 of the 29 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appalachian State University Boone, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 300 | Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | — | 75% | — | 90% |
| 2 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · 15 feeder programs | 278 | Biostatistics | — | 97% | $16,260 | 6% |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · 12 feeder programs | 257 | Biostatistics | — | 91% | — | 15% |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · 3 feeder programs | 243 | Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | — | 69% | — | 80% |
| 5 | East Carolina University Greenville, NC Public · 10 feeder programs | 178 | Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | $27,494 | 63% | — | 89% |
| 6 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · 4 feeder programs | 163 | Biochemistry | $44,101 | 85% | — | 42% |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Public · 4 feeder programs | 51 | Biochemistry | $36,783 | 56% | — | 89% |
| 8 | Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 51 | Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | — | 47% | — | 78% |
| 9 | North Carolina Central University Durham, NC Public · 2 feeder programs | 43 | Biomedical Sciences, General | $30,423 | 42% | — | 87% |
| 10 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 35 | Molecular Medicine | — | 89% | $20,914 | 22% |
| 11 | Campbell University Buies Creek, NC Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 33 | Biomedical Sciences, General | $35,579 | 61% | $23,331 | 87% |
| 12 | Gardner - Webb University Boiling Springs, NC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 33 | Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | — | 55% | $22,863 | 77% |
| 13 | High Point University High Point, NC Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 29 | Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies, Other | — | 74% | $37,072 | 75% |
| 14 | Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 21 | Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | — | 61% | $24,872 | 62% |
| 15 | Montreat College Montreat, NC Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 18 | Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | — | 50% | $25,763 | 69% |
| 16 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC Public · 3 feeder programs | 11 | Gerontology | — | 71% | — | 64% |
| 17 | Elon University Elon, NC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 9 | Biochemistry | — | 84% | $33,688 | 66% |
| 18 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 6 | Environmental Health | — | 60% | — | 82% |
| 19 | Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 5 | Biochemistry | — | 47% | $22,639 | 75% |
| 20 | Meredith College Raleigh, NC Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 5 | Biomedical Sciences, General | $43,182 | 70% | $19,552 | 74% |
| 21 | Wingate University Wingate, NC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 5 | Biochemistry | — | 46% | $21,585 | 91% |
| 22 | Lenoir - Rhyne University Hickory, NC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 4 | Biochemistry | — | 48% | $23,920 | 85% |
| 23 | North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount, NC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 4 | Biomedical Sciences, General | — | 42% | $18,905 | 80% |
| 24 | Catawba College Salisbury, NC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 3 | Biochemistry | — | 47% | $17,916 | 75% |
| 25 | Mars Hill University Mars Hill, NC Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 3 | Biochemistry | — | 45% | $20,402 | 68% |
All 29 schools in North Carolina
Every school in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State University | Boone | Public | 300 | 1 |
| Duke University | Durham | Private not-for-profit | 278 | 15 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill | Public | 257 | 12 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte | Public | 243 | 3 |
| East Carolina University | Greenville | Public | 178 | 10 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh | Public | 163 | 4 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro | Public | 51 | 4 |
| Winston - Salem State University | Winston-Salem | Public | 51 | 1 |
| North Carolina Central University | Durham | Public | 43 | 2 |
| Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem | Private not-for-profit | 35 | 7 |
| Campbell University | Buies Creek | Private not-for-profit | 33 | 3 |
| Gardner - Webb University | Boiling Springs | Private not-for-profit | 33 | 1 |
| High Point University | High Point | Private not-for-profit | 29 | 4 |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Charlotte | Private not-for-profit | 21 | 2 |
| Montreat College | Montreat | Private not-for-profit | 18 | 2 |
What medical scientists earn in North Carolina
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $103,410. North Carolina pays below the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in North Carolina
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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina.
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 Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology, which awarded 759 degrees in North Carolina in 2024-25, 42.3% 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 33 programs to this occupation. The largest are Physiology, Biochemistry, Biomathematics, Biology, plus 11 more. Together they graduate about 1,793 people a year in North Carolina.
How much do medical scientists earn in North Carolina?+
The median is $102,980 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 0.4% below 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 North Carolina?+
29 institutions in North Carolina reported graduates from at least one of the 33 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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