Best institutions to study Biomechanics
A program of study that focuses on the biological, anatomical, and mechanical structure and function of the mechanical aspects of biological systems.
6 U.S. institutions graduated 70 Biomechanics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0913, a specialization of Physiology (CIP 26.09), and leads most directly to the Biochemists and Biophysicists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1021).
About Biomechanics programs
A program of study that focuses on the biological, anatomical, and mechanical structure and function of the mechanical aspects of biological systems. Includes courses in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, mechanics, measurement and instrumentation, and research methods.
See also: 14.0501 - Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering., 31.0505 - Exercise Science and Kinesiology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Biomechanics program, a specialization within Physiology, focuses on the biological, anatomical, and mechanical functions of living systems. This interdisciplinary field integrates principles from biology, physics, and engineering to analyze how biological systems move and function, making it ideal for students interested in the intersection of health sciences and mechanical principles.
Students in the Biomechanics program will gain a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and mechanics. Coursework emphasizes research methods and instrumentation, equipping students with critical skills in science, critical thinking, and effective communication.
Credentials awarded
What Biomechanics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree35 graduates / yr · 2 institutions50%
- Master's degree19 graduates / yr · 4 institutions27%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions19%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.3%
Graduates over time
Biomechanics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 68 |
| 2024 | 62 |
| 2025 | 70 |
CIP 26.0913 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 6 institutions for Biomechanics, 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 Mary Bismarck, NDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 27 | 67% | $16,753 |
| 2 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 47% | — |
| 3 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicDoctoralMaster's | 8 | 81% | — |
| 4 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicMaster's | 7 | 62% | — |
| 5 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 72% | — |
| 6 | Lebanon Valley College Annville, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 65% | $24,925 |
Offered in 6 states
Where Biomechanics graduates come from. Each state links to all Physiology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 1 | 27 | University of Mary27 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 22 | University of Nebraska at Omaha22 / yr |
| Delaware | 1 | 8 | University of Delaware8 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 7 | Ball State University7 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 3 | University of Mississippi3 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 3 | Lebanon Valley College3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1021, Biochemists and Biophysicists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Biomechanics program can pursue careers as biochemists, biophysicists, and medical scientists, among others. The job outlook for related fields is promising, with a projected growth rate of 5.8%, approximately 2,900 annual openings, and a median wage of $103,650, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0913
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Biochemists and Biophysicistsprimary SOC 19-1021 | $127,410 | +5.8% Faster than average | ~2,900 | Doctoral or professional 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 |
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 Biomechanics 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
- Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
- Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
- Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
- Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
- Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
- Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
Tools and technology used
Other Physiology specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Physiology (CIP 26.09).
- Exercise Physiology and KinesiologyCIP 26.09088,332 graduates / yr155 institutions
- PhysiologyCIP 26.09013,004 graduates / yr70 institutions
- Pathology/CIP 26.0910
Experimental Pathology 306 graduates / yr36 institutions - Oncology and Cancer BiologyCIP 26.0911235 graduates / yr31 institutions
- Vision Science/CIP 26.0909
Physiological Optics 219 graduates / yr12 institutions - Physiology, Pathology, and Related SciencesCIP 26.0999218 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Cardiovascular ScienceCIP 26.0907partial data61 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Molecular PhysiologyCIP 26.0902partial data44 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Aerospace Physiology and MedicineCIP 26.0912partial data40 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Cell PhysiologyCIP 26.0903partial data32 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Reproductive BiologyCIP 26.0905partial data31 graduates / yr3 institutions
- EndocrinologyCIP 26.0904limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Biomechanics?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Biomechanics, along with postbaccalaureate certificates.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Biomechanics?+
You can work as a biochemist, medical scientist, or health specialties teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for Biomechanics graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.8% and about 2,900 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Biomechanics?+
Biomechanics is CIP 26.0913 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Physiology (CIP 26.09). NCES defines it as: A program of study that focuses on the biological, anatomical, and mechanical structure and function of the mechanical aspects of biological systems. Includes courses in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, mechanics, measurement and instrumentation, and research methods.
How many institutions offer Biomechanics programs?+
6 U.S. institutions reported Biomechanics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states, awarding 70 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Physiology graduates.
How much do Biomechanics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biochemists and Biophysicists occupation, which Biomechanics most directly leads to, pays a median of $127,410 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.
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