Best institutions to study Anatomy
A program that focuses on the scientific study of organ systems, tissue structures, and whole bodies together with their cellular and structural components and dynamics.
37 U.S. institutions graduated 902 Anatomy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0403, a specialization of Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (CIP 26.04), and leads most directly to the Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1071).
About Anatomy programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of organ systems, tissue structures, and whole bodies together with their cellular and structural components and dynamics. Includes instruction in cell biology and histology, structural biology, molecular mechanics, regional and gross anatomy, embryology, neuroanatomy, endocrinology and secretory dynamics, and applications to such topics as aging and disease conditions.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Anatomy program, part of the broader field of Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, focuses on the scientific study of organ systems, tissue structures, and their cellular components. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the complexities of the human body and its functions, making it ideal for those aspiring to careers in health and biomedical sciences.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in various areas, including cell biology, histology, structural biology, and neuroanatomy. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and essential skills such as speaking, writing, and reading comprehension.
Credentials awarded
What Anatomy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree684 graduates / yr · 5 institutions76%
- Master's degree158 graduates / yr · 23 institutions18%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship41 graduates / yr · 18 institutions4.5%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate17 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.9%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Anatomy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 595 |
| 2013 | 650 |
| 2014 | 553 |
| 2015 | 598 |
| 2016 | 653 |
| 2017 | 722 |
| 2018 | 759 |
| 2019 | 762 |
| 2020 | 816 |
| 2021 | 823 |
| 2022 | 925 |
| 2023 | 872 |
| 2024 | 897 |
| 2025 | 902 |
Top 37 institutions for Anatomy, 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 - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's | 585 | 86% | — | — |
| 2 | Parker University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 76 | 74% | $27,144 | $53,632 |
| 3 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 40 | 97% | $16,260 | $30,154 |
| 4 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 91% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicMaster's | 16 | 46% | — | — |
| 7 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 14 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
| 8 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 12 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 9 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 12 | 88% | — | — |
| 10 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 11 | Creighton University Omaha, NEPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 83% | $27,353 | — |
| 12 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 61% | — | — |
| 13 | Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 50% | $18,981 | — |
| 14 | Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center West Des Moines, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 5 | 94% | $11,888 | $24,352 |
| 16 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 4 | 87% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 4 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 18 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 75% | — | — |
| 19 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 4 | 86% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 71% | — | — |
| 21 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicDoctoral | 3 | 58% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicDoctoral | 3 | 65% | — | — |
| 23 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicMaster's | 3 | 63% | — | — |
| 24 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | — | — | — |
| 25 | Life University Marietta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 38% | $30,667 | — |
| 26 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicMaster's | 2 | 80% | — | — |
| 27 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 2 | 51% | — | — |
| 28 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicBachelor's | 2 | 58% | — | — |
| 29 | D'Youville University Buffalo, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 67% | $18,846 | — |
| 30 | Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | — | — | — |
| 31 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicMaster's | 2 | 46% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, ARPublicDoctoral | 1 | — | — | — |
| 33 | University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 56% | $18,930 | — |
| 34 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LAPublicDoctoral | 1 | — | — | — |
| 35 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicDoctoral | 1 | 72% | — | — |
| 36 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 58% | — | $30,643 |
| 37 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PRPublicDoctoral | 1 | — | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences field (CIP 26.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 26 states & territories
Where Anatomy graduates come from. Each state links to all Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Anatomy program can pursue careers as Health Specialties Teachers or Medical Scientists, among others. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 17.3% and approximately 27,400 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is around $105,620, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0403
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | 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 |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's 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 Anatomy 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
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise laboratory sessions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Tools and technology used
Other Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (CIP 26.04).
- Cell/CIP 26.0406
Cellular and Molecular Biology 4,454 graduates / yr105 institutions - Cell/CIP 26.0401
Cellular Biology and Histology 460 graduates / yr21 institutions - Cell/CIP 26.0499
Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences 436 graduates / yr20 institutions - Cell Biology and AnatomyCIP 26.0407134 graduates / yr12 institutions
- Developmental Biology and EmbryologyCIP 26.0404103 graduates / yr10 institutions
See all Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, as well as a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Health Specialties Teacher, Medical Scientist, or in other related fields.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 17.3%.
What is the CIP code for Anatomy?+
Anatomy is CIP 26.0403 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (CIP 26.04). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of organ systems, tissue structures, and whole bodies together with their cellular and structural components and dynamics. Includes instruction in cell biology and histology, structural biology, molecular mechanics, regional and gross anatomy, embryology, neuroanatomy, endocrinology and secretory dynamics, and applications to such topics as aging and disease conditions.
How many institutions offer Anatomy programs?+
37 U.S. institutions reported Anatomy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states & territories, awarding 902 credentials in the year. That is 13.9% of all Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences graduates.
How much do Anatomy graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Anatomy most directly leads to, pays a median of $107,310 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences field report median earnings of $30,643 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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