Best institutions to study Cell Biology and Anatomy
An integrated, combined program that focuses on the scientific study of cell structure, function, and dynamics within the context of organismic, regional, and gross anatomical systems.
12 U.S. institutions graduated 134 Cell Biology and Anatomy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0407, a specialization of Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (CIP 26.04), and leads most directly to the Biological Scientists, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 19-1029).
About Cell Biology and Anatomy programs
An integrated, combined program that focuses on the scientific study of cell structure, function, and dynamics within the context of organismic, regional, and gross anatomical systems. Includes instruction in molecular biology, cell biology and histology, structural biology, anatomy, embryology, endocrinology, and applications to specific systems, diseases, defects, and processes.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Cell Biology and Anatomy program is an integrated, combined curriculum focusing on the scientific study of cell structure, function, and dynamics within the context of anatomical systems. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the complexities of biological and biomedical sciences, particularly as they relate to human health and disease.
Students will engage in coursework covering molecular biology, cell biology, histology, structural biology, anatomy, embryology, and endocrinology. This comprehensive education prepares graduates to understand the intricate relationships between cellular functions and anatomical systems.
Credentials awarded
What Cell Biology and Anatomy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree61 graduates / yr · 5 institutions46%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate35 graduates / yr · 2 institutions26%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship33 graduates / yr · 7 institutions25%
- Bachelor's degree3 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.2%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.5%
Graduates over time
Cell Biology and Anatomy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 50 |
| 2013 | 63 |
| 2014 | 61 |
| 2015 | 79 |
| 2016 | 95 |
| 2017 | 87 |
| 2018 | 86 |
| 2019 | 95 |
| 2020 | 135 |
| 2021 | 131 |
| 2022 | 139 |
| 2023 | 173 |
| 2024 | 127 |
| 2025 | 134 |
Top 12 institutions for Cell Biology and 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 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicPost-degree cert. | 31 | 68% | — | — |
| 2 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | 54% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NEPublicMaster's | 17 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Weill Medical College of Cornell University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 15 | — | — | — |
| 5 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 14 | 75% | — | — |
| 6 | Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OHPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 11 | 42% | — | — |
| 7 | Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 9 | — | — | — |
| 8 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 9 | Huntingdon College Montgomery, ALPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 48% | $21,604 | — |
| 10 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 2 | 84% | — | $20,721 |
| 11 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicDoctoral | 1 | 69% | — | — |
| 12 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicDoctoral | 1 | 49% | — | $21,905 |
* 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 12 states
Where Cell Biology and Anatomy graduates come from. Each state links to all Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 1 | 31 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus31 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 26 | Indiana University - Indianapolis26 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 17 | University of Nebraska Medical Center17 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 15 | Weill Medical College of Cornell University15 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 14 | University of Iowa14 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 11 | Wright State University - Main Campus11 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 9 | Medical College of Wisconsin9 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 4 | Loyola University Chicago4 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 3 | Huntingdon College3 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 2 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick2 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 1 | University of Kansas1 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 1 | Augusta University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1029, Biological Scientists, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Cell Biology and Anatomy program can pursue careers as biological scientists, medical scientists, or postsecondary educators in biological sciences. The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 4,800 annual openings and a median wage of $93,330 for those typically holding at least a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0407
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 Scientists, All Otherprimary SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
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 - AnatomyCIP 26.0403902 graduates / yr37 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 - 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 Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Doctor's degree, or a Bachelor's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 12 colleges offering the Cell Biology and Anatomy program in the U.S.
What is the typical education required for careers in this field?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in this field.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with around 4,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Cell Biology and Anatomy?+
Cell Biology and Anatomy is CIP 26.0407 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: An integrated, combined program that focuses on the scientific study of cell structure, function, and dynamics within the context of organismic, regional, and gross anatomical systems. Includes instruction in molecular biology, cell biology and histology, structural biology, anatomy, embryology, endocrinology, and applications to specific systems, diseases, defects, and processes.
How many institutions offer Cell Biology and Anatomy programs?+
12 U.S. institutions reported Cell Biology and Anatomy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states, awarding 134 credentials in the year. That is 2.1% of all Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences graduates.
How much do Cell Biology and Anatomy graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Scientists, All Other occupation, which Cell Biology and Anatomy most directly leads to, pays a median of $98,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences field report median earnings of $21,905 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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