Best institutions to study Molecular Biochemistry
A program that focuses on the scientific relationship of physiological function to the structure and actions of macromolecules and supramolecular assemblies such as multienzyme complexes, membranes, and viruses.
18 U.S. institutions graduated 494 Molecular Biochemistry students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0205, a specialization of Biochemistry (CIP 26.02), and leads most directly to the Biochemists and Biophysicists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1021).
About Molecular Biochemistry programs
A program that focuses on the scientific relationship of physiological function to the structure and actions of macromolecules and supramolecular assemblies such as multienzyme complexes, membranes, and viruses. Includes instruction in the chemical mechanisms of regulation and catalysis, protein synthesis and other syntheses, and biomolecular chemical reactions.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Molecular Biochemistry program, a branch of Biochemistry, explores the intricate relationship between physiological functions and the structure and actions of macromolecules and supramolecular assemblies. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the chemical mechanisms that govern biological processes, including protein synthesis and biomolecular reactions.
Students in this program will gain core knowledge in biology, chemistry, and mathematics, alongside essential skills such as critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes the study of macromolecules, enzymatic actions, and the principles of biological chemistry.
Credentials awarded
What Molecular Biochemistry graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree357 graduates / yr · 9 institutions72%
- Master's degree81 graduates / yr · 7 institutions16%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship56 graduates / yr · 9 institutions11%
Graduates over time
Molecular Biochemistry completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 499 |
| 2013 | 514 |
| 2014 | 583 |
| 2015 | 566 |
| 2016 | 520 |
| 2017 | 507 |
| 2018 | 552 |
| 2019 | 562 |
| 2020 | 500 |
| 2021 | 509 |
| 2022 | 490 |
| 2023 | 426 |
| 2024 | 454 |
| 2025 | 494 |
Top 18 institutions for Molecular Biochemistry, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 189 | 86% | — | $42,266 |
| 2 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor's | 56 | 75% | — | $40,320 |
| 3 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 39 | 93% | — | $35,210 |
| 4 | University of Richmond University of Richmond, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 33 | 85% | $24,049 | $34,796 |
| 5 | Wesleyan University Middletown, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 29 | 93% | $16,467 | — |
| 6 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 7 | University of California - San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicDoctoral | 21 | — | — | — |
| 8 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicBachelor's | 18 | 50% | — | $19,546 |
| 9 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 12 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 10 | St. John Fisher University Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 74% | $25,213 | — |
| 11 | Carroll College Helena, MTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 69% | $21,440 | — |
| 12 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 60% | $29,994 | — |
| 13 | Clarkson University Potsdam, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 75% | $27,281 | — |
| 14 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 76% | — | $29,649 |
| 15 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, ILPublicDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 62% | — | — |
| 16 | Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NYPublicDoctoral | 6 | — | — | — |
| 17 | Bob Jones University Greenville, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 65% | $18,053 | — |
| 18 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicDoctoral | 4 | 64% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Biochemistry field (CIP 26.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 10 states
Where Molecular Biochemistry graduates come from. Each state links to all Biochemistry programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4 | 305 | University of California - Davis189 / yr |
| New York | 5 | 44 | St. John Fisher University11 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 33 | University of Richmond33 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 29 | Wesleyan University29 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 26 | Georgetown University26 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 19 | University of Chicago12 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 18 | The University of Texas at El Paso18 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 10 | Carroll College10 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 6 | Bob Jones University6 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 4 | University of Alabama at Birmingham4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1021, Biochemists and Biophysicists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Molecular Biochemistry program can pursue careers as biochemists and biophysicists, with a faster-than-average job outlook of 5.8% growth and approximately 2,900 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is $103,650, with many positions requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0205
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Biochemists and Biophysicistsprimary SOC 19-1021 | $127,410 | +5.8% Faster than average | ~2,900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- 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).
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Molecular Biochemistry programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
- Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
- Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
- Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
- Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
- Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
Tools and technology used
Other Biochemistry specializations
The 9 other 6-digit CIP codes under Biochemistry (CIP 26.02).
- BiochemistryCIP 26.020210,036 graduates / yr593 institutions
- Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyCIP 26.02101,607 graduates / yr98 institutions
- Molecular BiologyCIP 26.02041,352 graduates / yr75 institutions
- BiochemistryCIP 26.0299330 graduates / yr21 institutions
- BiophysicsCIP 26.0203266 graduates / yr52 institutions
- Molecular BiophysicsCIP 26.0206partial data207 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Radiation Biology/CIP 26.0209
Radiobiology partial data25 graduates / yr5 institutions - Structural BiologyCIP 26.0207limited data17 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Photobiology26.0208
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Molecular Biochemistry.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a biochemist, medical scientist, or in other biological science roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is strong, with a growth rate of 5.8% and 2,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Molecular Biochemistry?+
Molecular Biochemistry is CIP 26.0205 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Biochemistry (CIP 26.02). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific relationship of physiological function to the structure and actions of macromolecules and supramolecular assemblies such as multienzyme complexes, membranes, and viruses. Includes instruction in the chemical mechanisms of regulation and catalysis, protein synthesis and other syntheses, and biomolecular chemical reactions.
How many institutions offer Molecular Biochemistry programs?+
18 U.S. institutions reported Molecular Biochemistry graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 10 states, awarding 494 credentials in the year. That is 3.4% of all Biochemistry graduates.
How much do Molecular Biochemistry graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biochemists and Biophysicists occupation, which Molecular Biochemistry most directly leads to, pays a median of $127,410 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Biochemistry field report median earnings of $35,210 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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