Best institutions to study Molecular Biology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules and the role of molecular constituents and mechanisms in supramolecular assemblies and cells.
75 U.S. institutions graduated 1,352 Molecular Biology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0204, a specialization of Biochemistry (CIP 26.02), and leads most directly to the Biological Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4021).
About Molecular Biology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules and the role of molecular constituents and mechanisms in supramolecular assemblies and cells. Includes instruction in such topics as molecular signaling and transduction, regulation of cell growth, enzyme substrates and mechanisms of enzyme action, DNA-protein interaction, and applications to fields such as biotechnology, genetics, cell biology, and physiology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Molecular Biology program, a specialization within Biochemistry, focuses on the scientific study of biological macromolecules and their functions. This program is designed for students interested in understanding molecular mechanisms in cells and their applications in various fields such as biotechnology and genetics. It is ideal for those who are passionate about exploring the complexities of life at a molecular level.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in areas such as molecular signaling, enzyme mechanisms, and DNA-protein interactions. Coursework emphasizes critical skills including reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific analysis, preparing students for advanced research and practical applications in the biological sciences.
Credentials awarded
What Molecular Biology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree890 graduates / yr · 47 institutions66%
- Master's degree271 graduates / yr · 24 institutions20%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship185 graduates / yr · 20 institutions14%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Molecular Biology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,089 |
| 2013 | 1,194 |
| 2014 | 1,265 |
| 2015 | 1,227 |
| 2016 | 1,205 |
| 2017 | 1,307 |
| 2018 | 1,233 |
| 2019 | 1,281 |
| 2020 | 1,367 |
| 2021 | 1,346 |
| 2022 | 1,403 |
| 2023 | 1,387 |
| 2024 | 1,207 |
| 2025 | 1,352 |
Top 50 institutions for Molecular Biology, 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 Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 214 | 93% | — | $26,151 |
| 2 | Princeton University Princeton, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 97 | 98% | $13,729 | $41,848 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 86 | 90% | — | $44,074 |
| 4 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 61 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 5 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 57 | 89% | $21,956 | $42,850 |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor's | 45 | 85% | — | $33,554 |
| 7 | Lipscomb University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 40 | 72% | $24,309 | $23,075 |
| 8 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 38 | 93% | — | $35,210 |
| 9 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 36 | 48% | — | $41,790 |
| 10 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 36 | 81% | $13,712 | $31,225 |
| 11 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 35 | 62% | $35,358 | $51,942 |
| 12 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor's | 33 | 84% | — | $46,122 |
| 13 | Colgate University Hamilton, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 32 | 91% | $22,903 | $44,089 |
| 14 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 30 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 15 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 29 | 65% | — | $41,068 |
| 16 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, TXPublicMaster's | 26 | — | — | — |
| 17 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 25 | 68% | — | $43,333 |
| 18 | Cedarville University Cedarville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 73% | $22,701 | — |
| 19 | Pomona College Claremont, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 19 | 93% | $16,571 | — |
| 20 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 19 | 76% | $29,726 | $32,613 |
| 21 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 79% | — | $36,680 |
| 22 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 18 | 88% | $26,912 | — |
| 23 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 59% | — | — |
| 24 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicBachelor's | 16 | 76% | — | $30,207 |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WIPublicBachelor's | 16 | 64% | — | — |
| 26 | Connecticut College New London, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 82% | $27,183 | — |
| 27 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 15 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 28 | Kenyon College Gambier, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 82% | $20,475 | — |
| 29 | Union University Jackson, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 66% | $25,882 | — |
| 30 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 12 | 92% | $26,873 | $34,468 |
| 31 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 35% | $10,334 | — |
| 32 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicDoctoral | 11 | 46% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 10 | 55% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicMaster's | 10 | 70% | — | $30,275 |
| 35 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 10 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 36 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicDoctoral | 10 | 76% | — | $29,649 |
| 37 | Goshen College Goshen, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 65% | $15,430 | — |
| 38 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicDoctoral | 9 | 75% | — | $29,991 |
| 39 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor's | 8 | 69% | — | $41,487 |
| 40 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicMaster's | 8 | 46% | — | — |
| 41 | University of Michigan - Flint Flint, MIPublicBachelor's | 8 | 40% | — | $32,221 |
| 42 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicDoctoral | 8 | 85% | — | $37,830 |
| 43 | Assumption University Worcester, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 75% | $24,206 | — |
| 44 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 45 | Grove City College Grove City, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 83% | — | — |
| 46 | Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 75% | $25,675 | — |
| 47 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Aguadilla Aguadilla, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 43% | $8,433 | — |
| 48 | Weill Medical College of Cornell University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | — | — | — |
| 49 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 50 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicMaster's | 5 | 63% | — | — |
* 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 31 states & territories
Where Molecular Biology graduates come from. Each state links to all Biochemistry programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4021, Biological Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Molecular Biology program can pursue careers as Biological Technicians, Medical Scientists, or Natural Sciences Managers, among others. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 3.5% and approximately 9,100 annual openings. The median wage for related positions is around $52,000, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0204
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Biological Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4021 | $57,510 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's 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 |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Molecular Biology 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
- Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
- Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
- Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
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 BiochemistryCIP 26.0205494 graduates / yr18 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 Biology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, scientific analysis, and effective communication.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Biological Technician, Medical Scientist, or in other related fields.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.5%.
What is the CIP code for Molecular Biology?+
Molecular Biology is CIP 26.0204 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 study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules and the role of molecular constituents and mechanisms in supramolecular assemblies and cells. Includes instruction in such topics as molecular signaling and transduction, regulation of cell growth, enzyme substrates and mechanisms of enzyme action, DNA-protein interaction, and applications to fields such as biotechnology, genetics, cell biology, and physiology.
How many institutions offer Molecular Biology programs?+
75 U.S. institutions reported Molecular Biology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 31 states & territories, awarding 1,352 credentials in the year. That is 9.4% of all Biochemistry graduates.
How much do Molecular Biology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Technicians occupation, which Molecular Biology most directly leads to, pays a median of $57,510 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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