Best degree programs for Physicians, Pathologists, ranked by enrollment
2 college programs and 184 schools train Physicians, Pathologists. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $312,400 median wage, 11,110 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
2 college programs at 184 schools train physicians, pathologists, graduating 30,267 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Medicine. The job pays a median of $312,400 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About physicians, pathologists
Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids. Includes medical examiners.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
2 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 51.1201 | 21,453 | 70.9% | 151 | $33,290 | $23,488 |
| 2 | CIP 51.1202 | 8,814 | 29.1% | 36 | $33,290 | $23,488 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Blacksburg, VA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 642 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 2 | Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Erie, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 623 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 3 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · 2 feeder programs | 485 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 81% | — | 85% |
| 4 | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 452 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 5 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 445 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 63% | $31,672 | 73% |
| 6 | Kansas City University Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 417 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 7 | New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 404 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 59% | $22,158 | 81% |
| 8 | Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 368 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 50% | $18,981 | 63% |
| 9 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Public · 1 feeder programs | 354 | Medicine | 54% | — | 76% |
| 10 | Rocky Vista University Parker, CO Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 333 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 11 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · 1 feeder programs | 328 | Medicine | 84% | — | 58% |
| 12 | Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 318 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 13 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · 2 feeder programs | 316 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 67% | — | 78% |
| 14 | Wayne State University Detroit, MI Public · 1 feeder programs | 309 | Medicine | 58% | — | 81% |
| 15 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 299 | Medicine | 78% | $36,004 | 79% |
| 16 | A T Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 284 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 17 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Public · 1 feeder programs | 279 | Medicine | 62% | — | 77% |
| 18 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 266 | Medicine | 69% | $26,034 | 81% |
| 19 | Touro University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 260 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 72% | $27,110 | 61% |
| 20 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder programs | 253 | Medicine | 85% | — | 39% |
| 21 | Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 249 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 22 | Augusta University Augusta, GA Public · 1 feeder programs | 247 | Medicine | 49% | — | 86% |
| 23 | Midwestern University - Glendale Glendale, AZ Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 245 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 24 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 242 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 25 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 237 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 65% | — | 85% |
| 26 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 236 | Medicine | 68% | — | 86% |
| 27 | University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 226 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 28 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 222 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 29 | University of North Texas Health Science Center Fort Worth, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 222 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 30 | Creighton University Omaha, NE Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 217 | Medicine | 83% | $27,353 | 80% |
| 31 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · 1 feeder programs | 217 | Medicine | 85% | — | 80% |
| 32 | Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center West Des Moines, IA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 214 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 33 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 209 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 34 | Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science North Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 206 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 35 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 204 | Medicine | 87% | $27,976 | 37% |
| 36 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 201 | Medicine | 84% | — | 57% |
| 37 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 201 | Medicine | 94% | $23,570 | 11% |
| 38 | Midwestern University - Downers Grove Downers Grove, IL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 200 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 39 | New York Medical College Valhalla, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 200 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 40 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Public · 1 feeder programs | 200 | Medicine | 69% | — | 93% |
| 41 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · 1 feeder programs | 199 | Medicine | 75% | — | 80% |
| 42 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 199 | Medicine | 84% | $26,589 | 19% |
| 43 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 196 | Medicine | 88% | — | 61% |
| 44 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC Public · 1 feeder programs | 195 | Medicine | 79% | — | 60% |
| 45 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LA Public · 1 feeder programs | 193 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 46 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 192 | Medicine | 71% | — | 93% |
| 47 | Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 191 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 48 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 188 | Medicine | 91% | — | 15% |
| 49 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 188 | Medicine | 92% | $26,873 | 10% |
| 50 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 187 | Medicine | 63% | — | 93% |
What physicians, pathologists earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $321,550 | 1,220 | 1.76× | 16 | 2,555 |
| Pennsylvania | $413,370 | 210 | 0.49× | 9 | 2,385 |
| Texas | $345,830 | 1,530 | 1.52× | 15 | 2,204 |
| California | $186,300 | 1,790 | 1.37× | 14 | 2,029 |
| Florida | $313,510 | 370 | 0.53× | 8 | 1,429 |
| Illinois | $381,770 | — | — | 10 | 1,380 |
| Virginia | $240,780 | 110 | 0.38× | 6 | 1,321 |
| Michigan | $303,070 | 140 | 0.44× | 6 | 1,252 |
| Ohio | $309,480 | 600 | 1.52× | 7 | 1,247 |
| Missouri | $261,830 | — | — | 6 | 1,230 |
| New Jerseymoderate | $355,970 | 230 | 0.76× | 3 | 780 |
| Massachusettsmoderate | $285,240 | 320 | 1.24× | 4 | 678 |
| North Carolina | $248,940 | 340 | 0.96× | 5 | 677 |
| Georgiamoderate | $211,800 | 170 | 0.47× | 4 | 618 |
| Coloradolimited | $294,510 | 50 | 0.23× | 2 | 512 |
| Indianalimited | $340,300 | 380 | 1.67× | 2 | 497 |
| Arizonalimited | $338,290 | 270 | 1.18× | 2 | 481 |
| Kentuckymoderate | $324,390 | — | — | 3 | 474 |
| Washingtonmoderate | $300,680 | 200 | 0.79× | 3 | 462 |
| Wisconsinlimited | $83,610 | 130 | 0.62× | 2 | 416 |
| South Carolinalimited | $236,950 | 80 | 0.49× | 2 | 378 |
| Iowalimited | $323,460 | 80 | 0.75× | 2 | 376 |
| West Virginiamoderate | $400,070 | 50 | 0.91× | 3 | 357 |
| Nebraskalimited | $229,140 | 90 | 1.25× | 2 | 345 |
| Arkansaslimited | $214,100 | 130 | 1.34× | 2 | 327 |
| Oklahomalimited | $317,850 | 130 | 1.03× | 2 | 322 |
| Mississippilimited | $261,570 | 50 | 0.62× | 2 | 312 |
| Minnesotalimited | $362,270 | 550 | 2.62× | 2 | 310 |
| Nevadamoderate | $384,350 | 40 | 0.39× | 3 | 290 |
| Marylandlimited | $253,670 | 70 | 0.33× | 2 | 251 |
| Kansaslimited | $224,280 | 30 | 0.32× | 1 | 200 |
| Rhode Islandlimited | $322,950 | — | — | 1 | 147 |
| Oregonlimited | — | 150 | 1.08× | 1 | 125 |
| Vermontlimited | $188,250 | — | — | 1 | 112 |
| New Hampshirelimited | — | 70 | 1.40× | 1 | 83 |
| North Dakotalimited | — | 30 | 1.05× | 1 | 64 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities.
- Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology.
- Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions.
- Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians.
- Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.
- Consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments.
- Analyze and interpret results from tests, such as microbial or parasite tests, urine analyses, hormonal assays, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs).
Skills
- Reading Comprehension4.3
- Writing4.1
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Active Learning4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Science4.0
- Speaking3.9
- Monitoring3.5
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry4.8
- Biology4.5
- English Language4.3
- Education and Training3.4
- Customer and Personal Service3.4
- Chemistry3.2
Abilities
- Inductive Reasoning4.8
- Problem Sensitivity4.4
- Oral Comprehension4.3
- Written Expression4.3
- Deductive Reasoning4.1
- Oral Expression4.1
Core activities
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.8
- Processing Information4.6
- Documenting/Recording Information4.6
- Getting Information4.6
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.6
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.5
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Physician, Pathologists
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
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.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 20 majors mapped to Physicians, Pathologists2 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 51.1201Medicine
- 51.1202Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
- 61.0208Medical Toxicology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.0502Dermatopathology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1801Combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1802Anatomic Pathology Residency Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1803Clinical Pathology Residency Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1804Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1805Chemical Pathology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1806Cytopathology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1807Forensic Pathology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1808Hematological Pathology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1809Immunopathology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1810Laboratory Medicine Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1811Medical Microbiology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1812Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1813Neuropathology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1814Pediatric Pathology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1815Radioisotopic Pathology Fellowship Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1899Pathology Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other(no graduates reported)
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a Physician, Pathologists?+
Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Medicine, which awarded 21,453 degrees in 2024-25, 70.9% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Physician, Pathologists?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 2 programs to this occupation. The largest are Medicine. Together they graduate about 30,267 people a year.
How much do physicians, pathologists earn?+
The median is $312,400 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $92,540 at the 10th percentile to $449,970 at the 90th. 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 physicians, pathologists growing?+
BLS projects a +4.2% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 400 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
184 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 2 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 physicians, pathologists work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Pathologist, Dermatopathologist, Anatomic Pathologist, Forensic Pathologist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 29-1222.
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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