Best institutions to study Oncology and Cancer Biology
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 study of cancer behaviors and treatments.
31 U.S. institutions graduated 235 Oncology and Cancer Biology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0911, a specialization of Physiology (CIP 26.09), and leads most directly to the Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1042).
About Oncology and Cancer Biology programs
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 study of cancer behaviors and treatments. Includes instruction in gene expression; oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes; viral genes and cancer proliferation; regulation of signal transduction; cancer proteins; hormonal and growth factors in cancer cells; tumor promotion, progression, and metastasis; carcinogen receptors and metabolism; carcinogen ecology; immunological targeting; and studies of genetic, chemical, radiologic and other treatment therapies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Oncology and Cancer Biology program, a specialization within Physiology, delves into the scientific study of cancer, including its causes, development, and treatment. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the complexities of cancer biology and its implications for health and medicine. It prepares graduates for advanced roles in research and education within the field of biological and biomedical sciences.
Students in this program gain core knowledge in areas such as gene expression, tumor biology, and cancer treatment methodologies. Coursework emphasizes critical skills in biology, chemistry, and research, equipping students with the tools necessary for effective analysis and understanding of cancer mechanisms.
Credentials awarded
What Oncology and Cancer Biology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship167 graduates / yr · 26 institutions71%
- Master's degree49 graduates / yr · 14 institutions21%
- Bachelor's degree19 graduates / yr · 1 institution8.1%
Graduates over time
Oncology and Cancer Biology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 143 |
| 2013 | 147 |
| 2014 | 146 |
| 2015 | 164 |
| 2016 | 142 |
| 2017 | 145 |
| 2018 | 157 |
| 2019 | 130 |
| 2020 | 147 |
| 2021 | 150 |
| 2022 | 170 |
| 2023 | 188 |
| 2024 | 193 |
| 2025 | 235 |
Top 31 institutions for Oncology and Cancer Biology, 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 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 2 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicBachelor's | 19 | 64% | — | — |
| 3 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicDoctoralMaster's | 16 | 75% | — | $29,123 |
| 4 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicDoctoral | 16 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 15 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 6 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicDoctoralMaster's | 13 | 65% | — | — |
| 7 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicDoctoral | 11 | 77% | — | — |
| 8 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 11 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 90% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 8 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 11 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicDoctoral | 8 | 46% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicDoctoralMaster's | 8 | 93% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TXPublicDoctoralMaster's | 8 | — | — | — |
| 14 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 15 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 6 | 84% | $26,589 | $28,243 |
| 16 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 58% | — | — |
| 17 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 18 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoral | 5 | 68% | — | $28,435 |
| 19 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicDoctoral | 5 | 75% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicDoctoral | 5 | 69% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NEPublicMaster's | 5 | — | — | — |
| 22 | Saint Francis University Loretto, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 74% | $15,989 | — |
| 23 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 24 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 96% | $14,689 | — |
| 25 | Oregon Health & Science University Portland, ORPublicDoctoralMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 26 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicDoctoral | 3 | 65% | — | $24,463 |
| 27 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 57% | — | — |
| 28 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 29 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 30 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 89% | $20,914 | — |
| 31 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 79% | $34,418 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Physiology field (CIP 26.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 23 states
Where Oncology and Cancer Biology graduates come from. Each state links to all Physiology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1042, Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Oncology and Cancer Biology program can pursue careers as Biological Science Teachers or Medical Scientists, with a median wage of $83,460. The job outlook for these roles is promising, with a projected growth rate of 7.3% and approximately 5,400 annual openings, indicating a faster-than-average demand for professionals in this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0911
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | 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 |
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 Oncology and Cancer Biology 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
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as molecular biology, marine biology, and botany.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Prepare materials for laboratory activities and course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Supervise students' laboratory work.
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 - 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
- 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 this program?+
You can earn a Doctor's degree, Master's degree, or Bachelor's degree in Oncology and Cancer Biology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, writing, science, and critical thinking, among others.
What types of courses will I take?+
Courses cover topics like molecular biology, cancer genetics, and treatment therapies.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is strong, with a growth rate of 7.3% and around 5,400 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Oncology and Cancer Biology?+
Oncology and Cancer Biology is CIP 26.0911 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 carcinogens; the onset of malignancy in cells, tissues, blood, and organs; the genetics of cancer; the anatomy and physiology of cancer cells; and the study of cancer behaviors and treatments. Includes instruction in gene expression; oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes; viral genes and cancer proliferation; regulation of signal transduction; cancer proteins; hormonal and growth factors in cancer cells; tumor promotion, progression, and metastasis; carcinogen receptors and metabolism; carcinogen ecology; immunological targeting; and studies of genetic, chemical, radiologic and other treatment therapies.
How many institutions offer Oncology and Cancer Biology programs?+
31 U.S. institutions reported Oncology and Cancer Biology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 23 states, awarding 235 credentials in the year. That is 1.9% of all Physiology graduates.
How much do Oncology and Cancer Biology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Oncology and Cancer Biology most directly leads to, pays a median of $84,620 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Physiology field report median earnings of $28,435 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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