Best institutions to study Cardiovascular Science
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 cardiovascular system.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 61 Cardiovascular Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0907, a specialization of Physiology (CIP 26.09), and leads most directly to the Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1042).
About Cardiovascular Science programs
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 cardiovascular system. Includes instruction in cardiovascular physiology, blood physiology, vasculature, vascular metabolism, neural control of cardiovascular function, microvascular permeability and membrane transport, cardiac contraction mechanisms, homeostasis, and applications to topics such as arteriosclerosis, heart disease, diabetes, vascular remodeling, transplantation, transfusion, and pacemakers and artificial organs.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Cardiovascular Science program, a specialization within Physiology, focuses on the scientific study of the heart, vascular system, and blood in both humans and animals. This program is designed for students interested in understanding cardiovascular function and the various disorders associated with this critical system, making it ideal for those pursuing careers in medical research or education.
Students will gain knowledge in cardiovascular physiology, blood physiology, and vascular metabolism, along with skills in critical thinking, active learning, and scientific writing. Coursework often includes topics such as cardiac contraction mechanisms, homeostasis, and applications related to heart disease and transplantation.
Credentials awarded
What Cardiovascular Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree45 graduates / yr · 2 institutions74%
- Associate's degree13 graduates / yr · 1 institution21%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.9%
Graduates over time
Cardiovascular Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 65 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 68 |
| 2015 | 56 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 72 |
| 2018 | 62 |
| 2019 | 57 |
| 2020 | 71 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 62 |
| 2025 | 61 |
Top 4 institutions for Cardiovascular Science, 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 | Midwestern University - Glendale Glendale, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 41 | — | — |
| 2 | Parker University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 13 | 74% | $27,144 |
| 3 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicMaster's | 4 | 62% | — |
| 4 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicDoctoral | 3 | 57% | — |
Offered in 4 states
Where Cardiovascular Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Physiology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1 | 41 | Midwestern University - Glendale41 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 13 | Parker University13 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 4 | Ball State University4 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 3 | University of Toledo3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1042, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Cardiovascular Science program can pursue careers as medical scientists or biological science teachers, with a median wage of $100,590. The field is expected to grow by 8.7%, resulting in approximately 9,600 annual job openings, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0907
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 |
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 Cardiovascular Science 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
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
- BiomechanicsCIP 26.0913partial data70 graduates / yr6 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 this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Cardiovascular Science.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, active learning, and scientific analysis.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth of 8.7%.
What types of careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a medical scientist or a biological science teacher, among other roles.
What is the CIP code for Cardiovascular Science?+
Cardiovascular Science is CIP 26.0907 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Physiology (CIP 26.09). NCES defines it as: 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 cardiovascular system. Includes instruction in cardiovascular physiology, blood physiology, vasculature, vascular metabolism, neural control of cardiovascular function, microvascular permeability and membrane transport, cardiac contraction mechanisms, homeostasis, and applications to topics such as arteriosclerosis, heart disease, diabetes, vascular remodeling, transplantation, transfusion, and pacemakers and artificial organs.
How many institutions offer Cardiovascular Science programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Cardiovascular Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 61 credentials in the year. That is 0.5% of all Physiology graduates.
How much do Cardiovascular Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation, which Cardiovascular Science 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.
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