Best institutions to study Developmental Biology and Embryology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of embryology, development, and growth of animals and human beings.
10 U.S. institutions graduated 103 Developmental Biology and Embryology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0404, 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 Developmental Biology and Embryology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of embryology, development, and growth of animals and human beings. Includes instruction in fertilization, oogenesis, histogenesis, gastrulation, and cell differentiation; embryological development including organ and pattern formation, morphogenesis, gene regulation, cell lineage, and fate maps; disease and defect studies; transgenic and evolutionary models of growth and development; and applications to specific organisms and phyla.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Developmental Biology and Embryology program focuses on the scientific study of embryology, development, and growth in animals and humans. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complex processes of fertilization, cell differentiation, and organ formation, as well as the implications of developmental biology in health and disease. Students in this program will explore various aspects of growth and development, including gene regulation and evolutionary models, making it suitable for those aiming for careers in biological and biomedical sciences. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, this program prepares graduates for advanced studies or careers in related fields.
Core coursework in the Developmental Biology and Embryology program includes topics such as histogenesis, gastrulation, and embryological development. Students will gain insights into organ and pattern formation, morphogenesis, and the study of diseases and defects, equipping them with a comprehensive understanding of developmental processes.
Credentials awarded
What Developmental Biology and Embryology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree50 graduates / yr · 1 institution49%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship38 graduates / yr · 8 institutions37%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions9.7%
- Master's degree5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.9%
Graduates over time
Developmental Biology and Embryology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 94 |
| 2013 | 105 |
| 2014 | 119 |
| 2015 | 127 |
| 2016 | 105 |
| 2017 | 82 |
| 2018 | 100 |
| 2019 | 85 |
| 2020 | 83 |
| 2021 | 90 |
| 2022 | 72 |
| 2023 | 72 |
| 2024 | 84 |
| 2025 | 103 |
Top 10 institutions for Developmental Biology and Embryology, 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 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 52 | 98% | $15,013 | $51,569 |
| 2 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 9 | 97% | $16,260 | $30,154 |
| 3 | Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 9 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 8 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 5 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | — | — | — |
| 6 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicDoctoral | 7 | 75% | — | — |
| 7 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 6 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 8 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 9 | California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 94% | $17,608 | — |
| 10 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 46% | — | — |
* 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 9 states
Where Developmental Biology and Embryology 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 1 | 52 | Harvard University52 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 9 | Duke University9 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 9 | Baylor College of Medicine9 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 8 | Washington University in St Louis8 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 8 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine8 / yr |
| California | 2 | 7 | Stanford University6 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 7 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus7 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 2 | University of Chicago2 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 1 | Old Dominion University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1029, Biological Scientists, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Developmental Biology and Embryology program can pursue various careers, including roles as biological scientists, health specialties teachers, and medical scientists. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 4,800 positions and a median wage of $93,330. A typical educational requirement for these careers is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0404
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 |
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 |
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 - Cell Biology and AnatomyCIP 26.0407134 graduates / yr12 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, a Doctor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 10 colleges offering the Developmental Biology and Embryology program in the U.S.
What is the average number of graduates per year?+
Approximately 103 graduates complete this program each year.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a biological scientist, health specialties teacher, or medical scientist, among other roles.
What is the CIP code for Developmental Biology and Embryology?+
Developmental Biology and Embryology is CIP 26.0404 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 embryology, development, and growth of animals and human beings. Includes instruction in fertilization, oogenesis, histogenesis, gastrulation, and cell differentiation; embryological development including organ and pattern formation, morphogenesis, gene regulation, cell lineage, and fate maps; disease and defect studies; transgenic and evolutionary models of growth and development; and applications to specific organisms and phyla.
How many institutions offer Developmental Biology and Embryology programs?+
10 U.S. institutions reported Developmental Biology and Embryology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 103 credentials in the year. That is 1.6% of all Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences graduates.
How much do Developmental Biology and Embryology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Scientists, All Other occupation, which Developmental Biology and Embryology 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 $51,569 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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