Best colleges for Molecular Medicine
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the molecular and cellular basis of disease, and the application of this knowledge to the development of new clinical and diagnostic tools, medications, and therapies.
12 U.S. institutions graduated 223 Molecular Medicine students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1401, a specialization of Molecular Medicine (CIP 26.14), and leads most directly to the Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1042).
About Molecular Medicine programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the molecular and cellular basis of disease, and the application of this knowledge to the development of new clinical and diagnostic tools, medications, and therapies. Includes instruction in cell biology, molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, genetics, pathology, molecular immunology, research and quantitative methods, and biomedical research computing.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Molecular Medicine program focuses on the scientific study of the molecular and cellular basis of disease, aiming to apply this knowledge to develop new clinical and diagnostic tools, medications, and therapies. This program is ideal for students interested in biological and biomedical sciences, particularly those who aspire to contribute to advancements in healthcare and medical research.
Students in the Molecular Medicine program will gain knowledge in various areas, including cell biology, molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, genetics, and pathology. Coursework emphasizes critical skills such as research methodologies, quantitative methods, and biomedical research computing.
Credentials awarded
What Molecular Medicine graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree159 graduates / yr · 3 institutions71%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship64 graduates / yr · 11 institutions29%
Graduates over time
Molecular Medicine completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 52 |
| 2013 | 51 |
| 2014 | 74 |
| 2015 | 60 |
| 2016 | 85 |
| 2017 | 68 |
| 2018 | 52 |
| 2019 | 71 |
| 2020 | 67 |
| 2021 | 83 |
| 2022 | 95 |
| 2023 | 130 |
| 2024 | 156 |
| 2025 | 223 |
Top 12 institutions for Molecular Medicine, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 166 | 90% | — |
| 2 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicDoctoralMaster's | 13 | — | — |
| 3 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 9 | 89% | $20,914 |
| 4 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicMaster's | 8 | — | — |
| 5 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 7 | 87% | $27,976 |
| 6 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoral | 6 | 68% | — |
| 7 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 6 | 69% | $34,539 |
| 8 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OHPublicDoctoral | 3 | 75% | — |
| 9 | Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine Manhasset, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | — | — |
| 10 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 92% | $26,873 |
| 11 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MOPublicDoctoral | 1 | 75% | — |
| 12 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicDoctoral | 1 | 49% | — |
Offered in 9 states
Where Molecular Medicine graduates come from. Each state links to all Molecular Medicine programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 2 | 167 | University of Georgia166 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 13 | University of Maryland, Baltimore13 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 10 | Case Western Reserve University7 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 9 | Wake Forest University9 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 8 | Hofstra University6 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 8 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio8 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 6 | University of Arizona6 / yr |
| California | 1 | 1 | University of Southern California1 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 1 | University of Missouri-Columbia1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1042, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Molecular Medicine program can pursue careers as medical scientists, with a much faster than average job growth rate of 8.7%. With approximately 9,600 annual openings and a median wage of $100,590, many positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1401
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistsprimary 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 |
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 Molecular Medicine 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
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree or a Doctor's degree in Molecular Medicine.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, science, and mathematics.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a medical scientist, natural sciences manager, or a biological science teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is strong, with an expected growth rate of 8.7% and about 9,600 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Molecular Medicine?+
Molecular Medicine is CIP 26.1401 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Molecular Medicine (CIP 26.14). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the molecular and cellular basis of disease, and the application of this knowledge to the development of new clinical and diagnostic tools, medications, and therapies. Includes instruction in cell biology, molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, genetics, pathology, molecular immunology, research and quantitative methods, and biomedical research computing.
How many institutions offer Molecular Medicine programs?+
12 U.S. institutions reported Molecular Medicine graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 223 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Molecular Medicine graduates.
How much do Molecular Medicine graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation, which Molecular Medicine most directly leads to, pays a median of $103,410 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Molecular Medicine graduates, so its figures match the Molecular Medicine program page.
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