Ohio·Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations·SOC 19-1042

Best Medical Scientist programs in Ohio, ranked by enrollment

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health.

41 schools in Ohio run programs that feed this job, graduating 2,030 people a year. The job pays a median of $83,910 in Ohio across about 4,840 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Also calledScientistStudy DirectorResearch ScientistClinical Research ScientistAnatomistCytologistResearcherSerologist
Graduates / yr
2,030
in Ohio
Median pay · Ohio
$83,910
BLS OEWS May 2025
Jobs in state
4,840
people employed
Schools
41
with a feeder program
Avg graduation rate
60%
across those schools
Median net price
$22,701
per year, IPEDS

Fields of study in Ohio that lead to this job

Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.

Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.02
Biochemistry
453graduates / yr
28 schools · 3 specializations · 22.3% of pipeline
Grad earnings $38,243
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.09
Physiology
424graduates / yr
11 schools · 8 specializations · 20.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,146
Health Professions And Related Programs
CIP 51.20
Pharmacy
361graduates / yr
7 schools · 3 specializations · 17.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $48,728
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.01
Biology
141graduates / yr
5 schools · 1 specialization · 6.9% of pipeline
Grad earnings $32,152
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.10
Pharmacology and Toxicology
128graduates / yr
4 schools · 4 specializations · 6.3% of pipeline
Grad earnings $39,202
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.13
Ecology
116graduates / yr
6 schools · 1 specialization · 5.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $29,460
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.11
Gerontology
85graduates / yr
9 schools · 1 specialization · 4.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $37,623
Health Professions And Related Programs
CIP 51.14
Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies
75graduates / yr
5 schools · 2 specializations · 3.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $223,926
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.04
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
68graduates / yr
4 schools · 4 specializations · 3.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $35,393
Health Professions And Related Programs
CIP 51.22
Public Health
60graduates / yr
5 schools · 1 specialization · 3.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $36,762
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.05
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
43graduates / yr
2 schools · 4 specializations · 2.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $38,383
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.15
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
35graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 1.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,687
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.08
Genetics
14graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,800
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.11
Biomathematics
13graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 0.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $72,338
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.14
Molecular Medicine
10graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 0.5% of pipeline
Grad earnings
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.10
Biopsychology
4graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $43,343

37 programs in Ohio that lead to this job

Ranked by graduates per year in Ohio (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 Ohio page.

Degree programs that lead to this occupation, ranked by graduates per year
#ProgramGraduates / yrShare of pipelineSchoolsGrad earnings (1 yr)Median debt
1
CIP 26.0202In Ohio
391
19.3%
28$38,243$23,014
2
CIP 51.2010In Ohio
305
15.0%
7$48,728$23,761
3
CIP 26.0908In Ohio
249
12.3%
11$31,146$23,384
4
CIP 26.0102In Ohio
141
6.9%
5$32,152$25,000
5
CIP 26.0901In Ohio
125
6.2%
4$31,146$23,384
6
CIP 26.1309In Ohio
116
5.7%
6$29,460$23,480
7
CIP 30.1101In Ohio
85
4.2%
9$37,623$25,986
8
CIP 51.1401In Ohio
70
3.4%
5$223,926$16,250
9
CIP 26.1001In Ohio
65
3.2%
4$39,202$18,000
10
CIP 51.2202In Ohio
60
3.0%
5$36,762$25,076
11
CIP 26.1007In Ohio
53
2.6%
1$39,202$18,000
12
CIP 26.0204In Ohio
41
2.0%
5$38,243$23,014
13
CIP 26.1503In Ohio
35
1.7%
1$31,687$22,936
14
CIP 51.2004In Ohio
34
1.7%
4$48,728$23,761
15
CIP 26.0406In Ohio
27
1.3%
4$35,393$19,961
16
CIP 26.0910In Ohio
27
1.3%
2$31,146$23,384
17
CIP 26.0403In Ohio
23
1.1%
2$35,393$19,961
18
CIP 51.2003In Ohio
22
1.1%
2$48,728$23,761
19
CIP 26.0203In Ohio
21
1.0%
3$38,243$23,014
20
CIP 26.0508In Ohio
21
1.0%
2$38,383$22,065
21
CIP 26.0806In Ohio
14
0.7%
1$31,800$21,424
22
CIP 26.0909In Ohio
13
0.6%
1$31,146$23,384
23
CIP 26.1102In Ohio
13
0.6%
2$72,338$18,500
24
CIP 26.0407In Ohio
11
0.5%
1$35,393$19,961
25
CIP 26.0507In Ohio
11
0.5%
1$38,383$22,065
26
CIP 26.1401In Ohio
10
0.5%
2
27
CIP 26.0509In Ohio
10
0.5%
1$38,383$22,065
28
CIP 26.1006In Ohio
8
0.4%
1$39,202$18,000
29
CIP 26.0404In Ohio
7
0.3%
1$35,393$19,961
30
CIP 51.1402In Ohio
5
0.2%
1$223,926$16,250
31
Biopsychologymain feeder
CIP 30.1001In Ohio
4
0.2%
1$43,343$22,125
32
CIP 26.0903In Ohio
4
0.2%
1$31,146$23,384
33
CIP 26.0907In Ohio
3
0.1%
1$31,146$23,384
34
CIP 26.0911In Ohio
2
0.1%
1$31,146$23,384
35
CIP 26.1004In Ohio
2
0.1%
1$39,202$18,000
36
CIP 26.0504In Ohio
1
0.0%
1$38,383$22,065
37
CIP 26.0912In Ohio
1
0.0%
1$31,146$23,384

Top 25 schools in Ohio

Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 7 of the 41 schools in this state.

Schools ranked by graduates per year into this occupation
#SchoolGraduates / yrTop feeder programGrad earnings (1 yr)Grad rateNet priceAcceptance
1Ohio State University - Main Campus
Columbus, OH Public · 12 feeder programs
464Pharmaceutical Sciences$37,36988%61%
2University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH Public · 16 feeder programs
274Pharmaceutical Sciences75%85%
3Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH Private not-for-profit · 13 feeder programs
259Physiology, General87%$27,97637%
4University of Toledo
Toledo, OH Public · 12 feeder programs
230Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology57%92%
5Wright State University - Main Campus
Dayton, OH Public · 8 feeder programs
124Pharmacology and Toxicology42%96%
6Ohio University - Main Campus
Athens, OH Public · 5 feeder programs
121Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology$36,88665%85%
7University of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH Public · 4 feeder programs
73Biomedical Sciences, General$32,05052%60%
8Miami University - Oxford
Oxford, OH Public · 4 feeder programs
69Biochemistry80%75%
9Kent State University at Kent
Kent, OH Public · 7 feeder programs
51Epidemiology64%86%
10Ashland University
Ashland, OH Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
35Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology$31,19261%$21,78576%
11The University of Findlay
Findlay, OH Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
34Pharmaceutical Sciences58%$23,12883%
12Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
30Molecular Biology73%$22,70165%
13Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH Public · 3 feeder programs
29Gerontology50%84%
14Otterbein University
Westerville, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
24Biochemistry68%$20,15085%
15Kenyon College
Gambier, OH Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
23Molecular Biology82%$20,47531%
16Baldwin Wallace University
Berea, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
19Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology$21,45467%$25,10476%
17Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH Public · 3 feeder programs
18Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology51%91%
18University of Dayton
Dayton, OH Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
14Biochemistry80%$28,56065%
19Denison University
Granville, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
13Biochemistry79%$23,86417%
20Hiram College
Hiram, OH Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
13Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology55%$20,21094%
21Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
13Biochemistry81%$28,31334%
22Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH Public · 1 feeder programs
11Environmental Health28%
23Stark State College
North Canton, OH Public · 1 feeder programs
11Gerontology23%
24Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH Public · 1 feeder programs
9Gerontology$33,49764%81%
25Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
8Biophysics69%$31,11986%

All 41 schools in Ohio

Every school in Ohio 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.

All schools in Ohio that feed this occupation
SchoolCityControlGraduates / yrFeeder programs
Ohio State University - Main CampusColumbusPublic46412
University of Cincinnati - Main CampusCincinnatiPublic27416
Case Western Reserve UniversityClevelandPrivate not-for-profit25913
University of ToledoToledoPublic23012
Wright State University - Main CampusDaytonPublic1248
Ohio University - Main CampusAthensPublic1215
University of Akron Main CampusAkronPublic734
Miami University - OxfordOxfordPublic694
Kent State University at KentKentPublic517
Ashland UniversityAshlandPrivate not-for-profit353
The University of FindlayFindlayPrivate not-for-profit343
Cedarville UniversityCedarvillePrivate not-for-profit302
Youngstown State UniversityYoungstownPublic293
Otterbein UniversityWestervillePrivate not-for-profit241
Kenyon CollegeGambierPrivate not-for-profit232

What medical scientists earn in Ohio

What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.

Median annual in Ohio
$83,910
Mean annual
$98,090
Jobs in state
4,840
What the range looks like
10th pct$60,080Median$83,91090th pct$173,450
Versus the national median
-18.9%

U.S. median $103,410. Ohio pays below the national figure.

Job concentration
0.79×

1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.

Metro areas in Ohio

Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH
$103,650median
150 jobs
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
$96,190median
1,820 jobs
Columbus, OH
$84,300median
670 jobs
Akron, OH
$78,780median
150 jobs
Toledo, OH
$82,250median
160 jobs
Lima, OH
$94,580median
30 jobs
Cleveland, OH
$78,800median
1,310 jobs
Youngstown-Warren, OH
$82,620median
70 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34
+8.7%
Much faster than average
Openings per year
9,600
new jobs plus replacements
Employment change
14,300
165,300 → 179,600
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree

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

WritingActive LearningScienceSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive Listening

The same job in other states

Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.

Related careers in Ohio

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 Ohio.

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 Biochemistry, which awarded 391 degrees in Ohio in 2024-25, 19.3% 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 37 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacy, Biology, plus 12 more. Together they graduate about 2,030 people a year in Ohio.

How much do medical scientists earn in Ohio?+

The median is $83,910 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 18.9% 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 Ohio?+

41 institutions in Ohio reported graduates from at least one of the 37 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 2025

    Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.

  • BLS Employment Projections

    2024–34

    Projected 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 cohorts

    Median graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.

  • Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes

    latest available

    Graduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.

  • NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk

    CIP 2020 / SOC 2018

    Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.

  • O*NET Database 30.3

    30.3

    Tasks, 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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