Best institutions to study Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the structure, function, and regulation of cells as individual units and as components of larger systems.
21 U.S. institutions graduated 460 Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0401, a specialization of Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences (CIP 26.04), and leads most directly to the Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1041).
About Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the structure, function, and regulation of cells as individual units and as components of larger systems. Includes instruction in cell chemistry, cellular dynamics, cellular replication and reproduction, cell anatomy, membrane function, organelles, cell adhesion and extracellular matrices, cell dynamics and motility, meiosis and mytosis, signal transduction, regulation, recognition and defense mechanisms, the cell cycle, cell metabolism and respiration, gene expression, and studies of cell types and characteristics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology program is designed for students interested in the scientific study of cells, focusing on their structure, function, and regulation. This program falls under the broader category of Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences and is ideal for those who aspire to understand biological systems at the cellular level.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in cell chemistry, cellular dynamics, replication, anatomy, and metabolism. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, scientific principles, and practical skills in research and analysis, preparing graduates for advanced studies or careers in biological sciences.
Credentials awarded
What Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree340 graduates / yr · 6 institutions74%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship91 graduates / yr · 16 institutions20%
- Master's degree29 graduates / yr · 7 institutions6.3%
Graduates over time
Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 718 |
| 2013 | 616 |
| 2014 | 658 |
| 2015 | 617 |
| 2016 | 615 |
| 2017 | 534 |
| 2018 | 552 |
| 2019 | 533 |
| 2020 | 503 |
| 2021 | 519 |
| 2022 | 555 |
| 2023 | 501 |
| 2024 | 484 |
| 2025 | 460 |
Top 21 institutions for Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology, 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 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 181 | 84% | — | $20,721 |
| 2 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor's | 59 | 85% | — | $36,532 |
| 3 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor's | 53 | 57% | — | $32,538 |
| 4 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 28 | 86% | — | $37,952 |
| 5 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 26 | 90% | — | — |
| 6 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 20 | 94% | $11,888 | $24,352 |
| 7 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 16 | 97% | $16,260 | $30,154 |
| 8 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 14 | 96% | $27,025 | $40,299 |
| 9 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster's | 11 | 68% | — | $33,741 |
| 10 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 11 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | — | — | — |
| 12 | University of California - San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicDoctoral | 7 | — | — | — |
| 13 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicDoctoral | 5 | 64% | — | — |
| 14 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 87% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicDoctoral | 5 | 85% | — | $29,777 |
| 16 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicDoctoral | 4 | — | — | — |
| 17 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 18 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicDoctoral | 2 | 96% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 20 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicDoctoral | 1 | 70% | — | — |
| 21 | Oregon Health & Science University Portland, ORPublicDoctoral | 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 17 states
Where Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 1 | 181 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick181 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 59 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities59 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 53 | Montana State University53 / yr |
| California | 3 | 40 | University of California - Davis28 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 26 | University of Georgia26 / yr |
| Maryland | 2 | 21 | Johns Hopkins University20 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 18 | New York University9 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 16 | Duke University16 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 14 | Yale University14 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 11 | University of Arizona11 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 5 | University of Alabama at Birmingham5 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 5 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign5 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 4 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center4 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 3 | Tufts University3 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 2 | University of Virginia - Main Campus2 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | University of Miami1 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 1 | Oregon Health & Science University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1041, Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology program can pursue careers as epidemiologists, medical scientists, or health specialties teachers. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 16.2% and approximately 800 annual openings, offering a median wage of $83,980, typically requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0401
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Epidemiologistsprimary SOC 19-1041 | $87,220 | +16.2% Much faster than average | ~800 | Master's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 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 |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists SOC 29-2011 | — | — | — | — |
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 Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology 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
- Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
- Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
- Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
- Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
- Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
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 - AnatomyCIP 26.0403902 graduates / yr37 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 degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in this field.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, mathematics, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an epidemiologist, medical scientist, or health specialties teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 16.2% and around 800 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology?+
Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology is CIP 26.0401 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 the structure, function, and regulation of cells as individual units and as components of larger systems. Includes instruction in cell chemistry, cellular dynamics, cellular replication and reproduction, cell anatomy, membrane function, organelles, cell adhesion and extracellular matrices, cell dynamics and motility, meiosis and mytosis, signal transduction, regulation, recognition and defense mechanisms, the cell cycle, cell metabolism and respiration, gene expression, and studies of cell types and characteristics.
How many institutions offer Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology programs?+
21 U.S. institutions reported Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 17 states, awarding 460 credentials in the year. That is 7.1% of all Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences graduates.
How much do Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Epidemiologists occupation, which Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology most directly leads to, pays a median of $87,220 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences field report median earnings of $32,538 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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