Best institutions to study Medical Science/Scientist
An undifferentiated clinical science program that prepares clinicians to conduct clinical and translational research in various areas.
69 U.S. institutions graduated 1,070 Medical Science/Scientist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1401, a specialization of Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (CIP 51.14), and leads most directly to the Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1041).
About Medical Science/Scientist programs
An undifferentiated clinical science program that prepares clinicians to conduct clinical and translational research in various areas. Note: programs that prepare clinicians to conduct research in specific scientific fields should report under the relevant CIP code series (e.g., Series 26 Biological and Biomedical Sciences).
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Medical Science/Scientist program, part of the Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies, is designed for individuals pursuing careers in clinical and translational research. This program prepares students to conduct research in various health-related fields, equipping them with the necessary skills to investigate diseases and improve public health outcomes.
Students in this program develop critical skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers essential knowledge areas including biology, medicine, mathematics, and statistics, enabling graduates to conduct thorough research and analysis in the medical sciences.
Credentials awarded
What Medical Science/Scientist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree698 graduates / yr · 52 institutions65%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice175 graduates / yr · 4 institutions16%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate102 graduates / yr · 16 institutions9.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship77 graduates / yr · 19 institutions7.2%
- Post-master's certificate18 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.7%
Graduates over time
Medical Science/Scientist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 459 |
| 2013 | 580 |
| 2014 | 596 |
| 2015 | 656 |
| 2016 | 639 |
| 2017 | 725 |
| 2018 | 738 |
| 2019 | 809 |
| 2020 | 818 |
| 2021 | 853 |
| 2022 | 981 |
| 2023 | 991 |
| 2024 | 1,047 |
| 2025 | 1,070 |
Top 50 institutions for Medical Science/Scientist, 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 | Butler University Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 138 | 80% | $35,696 | — |
| 2 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 52 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 48 | 85% | — | — |
| 4 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 40 | 96% | $14,644 | — |
| 5 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicMaster's | 33 | 79% | — | — |
| 6 | Morehouse School of Medicine Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | — | — | — |
| 7 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 32 | 75% | — | $223,926 |
| 8 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 32 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 9 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicMaster's | 29 | 86% | — | — |
| 10 | Oregon Health & Science University Portland, ORPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 27 | — | — | — |
| 11 | Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SCPublicMaster's | 27 | — | — | — |
| 12 | University of California - San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 26 | — | — | — |
| 13 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 24 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 14 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 15 | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 23 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 17 | George Fox University Newberg, ORPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 22 | 72% | $26,564 | — |
| 18 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 21 | 46% | — | — |
| 19 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 20 | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Rochester, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 21 | — | — | — |
| 21 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster's | 19 | 93% | — | — |
| 22 | Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 51% | $25,813 | — |
| 23 | Rush University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | — | — | — |
| 24 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 17 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 25 | University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TXPublicDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 16 | — | — | — |
| 26 | Bethel University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 71% | $25,225 | — |
| 27 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicDoctoral (prof.)Post-degree cert. | 14 | 61% | — | — |
| 28 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MNPublicMaster's | 14 | 40% | — | — |
| 29 | New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 14 | 59% | $22,158 | — |
| 30 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 68% | — | — |
| 31 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 32 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 33 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 12 | 65% | — | — |
| 34 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicMaster's | 11 | 54% | — | — |
| 35 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 69% | — | — |
| 36 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport Shreveport, LAPublicMaster's | 11 | — | — | — |
| 37 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicMaster's | 10 | 87% | — | — |
| 38 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicMaster's | 9 | 87% | — | — |
| 39 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicMaster's | 9 | 91% | — | — |
| 40 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 8 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 41 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster's | 8 | — | — | — |
| 42 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 7 | 83% | — | — |
| 43 | Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OHPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 42% | — | — |
| 44 | University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 55% | — | — |
| 45 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 46 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 6 | 90% | — | — |
| 47 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 48 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicMaster's | 5 | 72% | — | — |
| 49 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicDoctoralMaster's | 5 | 60% | — | — |
| 50 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicDoctoral | 5 | 85% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies field (CIP 51.14) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 33 states
Where Medical Science/Scientist graduates come from. Each state links to all Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1041, Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Medical Science/Scientist program can pursue careers as epidemiologists, medical scientists, or natural sciences managers. The job outlook for these roles is promising, with a projected growth rate of 16.2% and approximately 800 annual openings. The median wage for medical scientists is around $83,980, with a typical education requirement of a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1401
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 |
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 |
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 Medical Science/Scientist 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 Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (CIP 51.14).
- Clinical and Translational ScienceCIP 51.140290 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Medical Clinical Sciences/CIP 51.1499
Graduate Medical Studies partial data53 graduates / yr6 institutions - Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial PainCIP 51.1404partial data6 graduates / yr3 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Pain Management51.1403
- Tropical Medicine51.1405
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Doctor's degree in professional practice, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
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 natural sciences manager.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 16.2%.
What is the CIP code for Medical Science/Scientist?+
Medical Science/Scientist is CIP 51.1401 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (CIP 51.14). NCES defines it as: An undifferentiated clinical science program that prepares clinicians to conduct clinical and translational research in various areas. Note: programs that prepare clinicians to conduct research in specific scientific fields should report under the relevant CIP code series (e.g., Series 26 Biological and Biomedical Sciences).
How many institutions offer Medical Science/Scientist programs?+
69 U.S. institutions reported Medical Science/Scientist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 33 states, awarding 1,070 credentials in the year. That is 87.8% of all Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies graduates.
How much do Medical Science/Scientist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Epidemiologists occupation, which Medical Science/Scientist most directly leads to, pays a median of $87,220 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies field report median earnings of $223,926 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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