Best institutions to study Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
An integrated, combined program that focuses on the scientific study of cells, cellular systems, and the molecular basis of cell structure and function.
105 U.S. institutions graduated 4,454 Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0406, a specialization of Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (CIP 26.04), and leads most directly to the Biological Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4021).
About Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology programs
An integrated, combined program that focuses on the scientific study of cells, cellular systems, and the molecular basis of cell structure and function. Includes instruction in cell biology, cell chemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, and structural biology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology program is an integrated study focused on the scientific exploration of cells, cellular systems, and the molecular foundations of cell structure and function. This program is ideal for students interested in the biological and biomedical sciences, providing a comprehensive understanding of how cells operate and interact within living organisms.
Students in this program will gain core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific methodologies. Coursework typically includes cell biology, molecular biology, biophysics, and structural biology, equipping students with the knowledge necessary for advanced research and practical applications in various scientific fields.
Credentials awarded
What Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree3,502 graduates / yr · 62 institutions79%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship478 graduates / yr · 51 institutions11%
- Master's degree356 graduates / yr · 44 institutions8.0%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year54 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate39 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.9%
- Post-master's certificate22 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Associate's degree3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,653 |
| 2013 | 2,894 |
| 2014 | 3,009 |
| 2015 | 3,116 |
| 2016 | 3,190 |
| 2017 | 3,207 |
| 2018 | 3,414 |
| 2019 | 3,707 |
| 2020 | 4,071 |
| 2021 | 4,165 |
| 2022 | 4,242 |
| 2023 | 4,209 |
| 2024 | 4,347 |
| 2025 | 4,454 |
Top 50 institutions for Cell/Cellular and 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 California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 748 | 93% | — | $43,270 |
| 2 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 290 | 93% | — | $36,945 |
| 3 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 288 | 85% | — | $29,777 |
| 4 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's | 242 | 86% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 201 | 85% | — | $42,075 |
| 6 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 199 | 83% | — | $35,393 |
| 7 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 186 | 94% | $11,888 | $24,352 |
| 8 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 152 | 75% | — | $45,088 |
| 9 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 150 | 74% | — | $43,192 |
| 10 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 99 | 96% | $27,025 | $40,299 |
| 11 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 92 | 68% | — | $33,741 |
| 12 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sMaster's | 88 | 58% | — | $30,643 |
| 13 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 87 | 91% | $18,925 | $65,551 |
| 14 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 78 | 63% | $32,614 | — |
| 15 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 78 | 69% | — | — |
| 16 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 76 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 17 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 74 | 59% | — | — |
| 18 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 73 | 76% | — | $31,148 |
| 19 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 72 | 98% | $15,013 | $51,569 |
| 20 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 58 | 77% | — | — |
| 21 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 52 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 22 | University of California - Merced Merced, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 52 | 69% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 49 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 24 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor's | 42 | 73% | — | $46,814 |
| 25 | Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OKPublicBachelor's | 36 | 35% | — | $34,174 |
| 26 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicBachelor's | 36 | 49% | — | $21,905 |
| 27 | Colorado College Colorado Springs, COPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 31 | 88% | $23,510 | — |
| 28 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 30 | 67% | — | — |
| 29 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 30 | 76% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicDoctoralBachelor's | 28 | 93% | — | $28,062 |
| 31 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 28 | 84% | — | — |
| 32 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor's | 28 | 65% | — | $39,225 |
| 33 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 27 | 64% | — | — |
| 34 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 26 | 68% | — | — |
| 35 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 23 | 83% | — | — |
| 36 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | 76% | $36,137 | — |
| 37 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 22 | 83% | — | — |
| 38 | Barnard College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 93% | $24,675 | — |
| 39 | Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 19 | — | — | — |
| 40 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicDoctoralMaster's | 19 | 89% | — | — |
| 41 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicDoctoralMaster's | 18 | 71% | — | — |
| 42 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 18 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 43 | Brandeis University Waltham, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 18 | 86% | $25,074 | — |
| 44 | University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MOPublicMaster's | 18 | 55% | — | — |
| 45 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor's | 17 | 69% | — | — |
| 46 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 16 | 65% | — | $34,154 |
| 47 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 67% | — | — |
| 48 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 15 | 97% | $16,260 | $30,154 |
| 49 | Seattle University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 76% | $31,900 | — |
| 50 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 49% | $17,436 | — |
* 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 36 states
Where Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology graduates come from. Each state links to all Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4021, Biological Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology program can pursue careers as Biological Technicians, Medical Scientists, and more. With approximately 9,100 annual job openings and a median wage of $52,000, the field is expected to grow at a rate of 3.5%, making it a promising career path for those with a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0406
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 Cell/Cellular and 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 Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (CIP 26.04).
- 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 - 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 degree, Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Biological Technician, Medical Scientist, or in various other scientific roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a projected growth rate of 3.5%.
What is the CIP code for Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology?+
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology is CIP 26.0406 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 cells, cellular systems, and the molecular basis of cell structure and function. Includes instruction in cell biology, cell chemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, and structural biology.
How many institutions offer Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology programs?+
105 U.S. institutions reported Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 36 states, awarding 4,454 credentials in the year. That is 68.6% of all Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences graduates.
How much do Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Technicians occupation, which Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology most directly leads to, pays a median of $57,510 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences field report median earnings of $35,393 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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