Best institutions to study Physiology
Compare 256 U.S. colleges offering Physiology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 49 states.
Physiology programs report a median of $29,642 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 26.09 and the Exercise Physiologists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Physiology programs
The Physiology program, officially titled Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences, is a branch of biological and biomedical sciences focused on the study of functions and mechanisms in living systems. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding how organisms, organ systems, and cells operate, as well as the chemical and physical processes that sustain life. Students can explore various specializations within physiology, including Molecular Physiology, Exercise Physiology, and Cardiovascular Science, making it suitable for those pursuing careers in health, fitness, and medical research.
In this program, students develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics related to biology, medicine, and exercise science, equipping students with the knowledge needed to analyze physiological data and implement health-related programs.
Top 47 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,712 | 47 | 83% | — | $25,125 |
| 2 | Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,977 | 50 | 83% | $24,453 | $27,000 |
| 3 | University of California - Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,550 | 107 | 86% | — | $14,598 |
| 4 | Ohio University - Eastern Campus Saint Clairsville, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,886 | 4 | 21% | — | $26,786 |
| 5 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,886 | 76 | 65% | — | $26,786 |
| 6 | Life University Marietta, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,662 | 51 | 38% | $30,667 | $22,439 |
| 7 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,873 | 143 | 89% | $21,956 | $27,000 |
| 8 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,926 | 372 | 74% | — | $20,330 |
| 9 | Gonzaga University Spokane, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,486 | 37 | 86% | $30,006 | $25,193 |
| 10 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,970 | 140 | 85% | — | $17,493 |
| 11 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,794 | 52 | 76% | $28,970 | $23,149 |
| 12 | The University of Montana Missoula, MT Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,671 | 69 | 48% | — | $20,500 |
| 13 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,629 | 103 | 47% | — | $23,750 |
| 14 | Wichita State University Wichita, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,125 | 85 | 51% | — | $20,500 |
| 15 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,958 | 146 | 71% | — | $22,775 |
| 16 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,915 | 164 | 83% | — | $27,000 |
| 17 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,613 | 308 | 85% | — | $22,500 |
| 18 | Ashland University Ashland, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,192 | 26 | 61% | $21,785 | $27,000 |
| 19 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,173 | 74 | 83% | $25,376 | $27,000 |
| 20 | California Baptist University Riverside, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,146 | 35 | 62% | $26,940 | $23,125 |
| 21 | Taylor University Upland, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,723 | 29 | 74% | $20,836 | $22,786 |
| 22 | Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,632 | 19 | 83% | $25,238 | $13,250 |
| 23 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,884 | 283 | 82% | — | $24,250 |
| 24 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,642 | 71 | 81% | — | $23,384 |
| 25 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,123 | 151 | 75% | — | $23,900 |
| 26 | University of South Carolina - Upstate Spartanburg, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,616 | 63 | 43% | — | $27,000 |
| 27 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,435 | 303 | 68% | — | $19,500 |
| 28 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,243 | 73 | 84% | $26,589 | $18,300 |
| 29 | Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,539 | 31 | 43% | — | $22,244 |
| 30 | University of Oregon Eugene, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,502 | 211 | 72% | — | $22,990 |
| 31 | East Carolina University Greenville, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,494 | 123 | 63% | — | $24,717 |
| 32 | College of Charleston Charleston, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,467 | 84 | 66% | — | $24,250 |
| 33 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,374 | 246 | 79% | — | $25,000 |
| 34 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,182 | 7 | 70% | — | $24,168 |
| 35 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,478 | 30 | 62% | $24,653 | $24,723 |
| 36 | Ursinus College Collegeville, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,123 | 39 | 73% | $27,153 | $27,000 |
| 37 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,831 | 151 | 55% | $6,760 | $13,593 |
| 38 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,379 | 63 | 43% | — | $23,041 |
| 39 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,101 | 339 | 81% | $13,712 | $13,000 |
| 40 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,588 | 424 | 91% | — | $16,888 |
| 41 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,463 | 147 | 65% | — | $21,250 |
| 42 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,058 | 47 | 67% | $27,455 | $20,750 |
| 43 | Creighton University Omaha, NE Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,926 | 71 | 83% | $27,353 | $27,000 |
| 44 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WY Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,766 | 33 | 59% | — | $18,500 |
| 45 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,574 | 207 | 86% | — | $19,001 |
| 46 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,151 | 254 | 93% | — | $17,049 |
| 47 | Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $21,454 | 19 | 67% | $25,104 | $27,000 |
Offered across 49 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1128, Exercise Physiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Physiology program can expect a promising career outlook, with a projected growth rate of 9.5% and approximately 1,700 annual job openings. The median wage for related positions is around $58,160, and a typical educational requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Physiology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 26.09.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 26.09 (Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 19-1021 | Biochemists and Biophysicists |
| 19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other |
| 19-1042 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists |
| 25-1042 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 29-1128 | Exercise Physiologistsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Physiology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
- Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
- Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
- Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.
- Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.
- Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.
Concentrations within Physiology
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Physiology, GeneralCIP 26.0901
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the functional dynamics, morphology, and biochemical and biophysical communications within organisms and between living systems at all levels
- Molecular PhysiologyCIP 26.0902
A program that focuses on the scientific study of dynamic interactive processes and biochemical communications at the subcellular level
- Cell PhysiologyCIP 26.0903
A program that focuses on the scientific study of physiological processes operating within and among cells, and intracellular communication and behavior, in the context of larger systems and whole org
- EndocrinologyCIP 26.0904
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the composition, manufacture, and secretion of protein compounds by cells and glands and the role of endocrine substances in bodily processes
- Reproductive BiologyCIP 26.0905
A program that focuses on the scientific study of reproductive processes and biogenesis in animals and human beings
- Cardiovascular ScienceCIP 26.0907
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the structure and functioning of the heart, vascular system, and blood in animals and human beings and the disorders and diseases associated with the
- Exercise Physiology and KinesiologyCIP 26.0908
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physiological processes involved in physical or motor activity, including sensorimotor interactions, response mechanisms, and the effects of injur
- Vision Science/Physiological OpticsCIP 26.0909
A program that focuses on the scientific study of vision, visual processes, and related phenomena and clinical research and treatment modalities
- Pathology/Experimental PathologyCIP 26.0910
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the expression, initiation, maintenance and progression of tissue injury and disease, including death, and the relationship of pathogenesis to fundame
- Oncology and Cancer BiologyCIP 26.0911
A program that focuses on the scientific study of carcinogens; the onset of malignancy in cells, tissues, blood, and organs; the genetics of cancer; the anatomy and physiology of cancer cells; and the
- Aerospace Physiology and MedicineCIP 26.0912
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physiological processes involved in low and high-altitude flight and living in space and related low-pressure and low-gravity environments, includ
- BiomechanicsCIP 26.0913
A program of study that focuses on the biological, anatomical, and mechanical structure and function of the mechanical aspects of biological systems
Common questions
What is the focus of the Physiology program?+
The program focuses on the study of functions and mechanisms in living systems, including how organisms and their components operate.
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Molecular Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Endocrinology, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills relevant to health and exercise science.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a projected growth rate of 9.5% and about 1,700 annual openings.
How much do Physiology graduates earn?+
Physiology graduates report median earnings of $29,642 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Exercise Physiologists occupation pays about $60,940 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Physiology?+
Physiology maps to CIP 26.09 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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