Best institutions to study Pathology/Experimental Pathology
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 fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms.
36 U.S. institutions graduated 306 Pathology/Experimental Pathology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0910, a specialization of Physiology (CIP 26.09), and leads most directly to the Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1042).
About Pathology/Experimental Pathology programs
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 fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms. Includes instruction in immunology, microbiology, gene expression, inflammation, cell injury, apoptosis, immunopathology, molecular markers of disease and toxins, neoplasia, growth regulation, and organ- and system-specific investigations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Pathology/Experimental Pathology program, a specialized branch of Physiology, delves into the scientific study of tissue injury and disease. It explores the initiation, maintenance, and progression of diseases, focusing on the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in pathogenesis. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of diseases at a fundamental level.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in various areas, including immunology, microbiology, gene expression, and cell injury. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, scientific writing, and data analysis, equipping graduates with essential skills for research and application in biomedical sciences.
Credentials awarded
What Pathology/Experimental Pathology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship165 graduates / yr · 28 institutions54%
- Master's degree97 graduates / yr · 22 institutions32%
- Bachelor's degree31 graduates / yr · 1 institution10%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate9 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.9%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.3%
Graduates over time
Pathology/Experimental Pathology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 303 |
| 2013 | 319 |
| 2014 | 341 |
| 2015 | 331 |
| 2016 | 279 |
| 2017 | 270 |
| 2018 | 308 |
| 2019 | 293 |
| 2020 | 272 |
| 2021 | 258 |
| 2022 | 254 |
| 2023 | 296 |
| 2024 | 293 |
| 2025 | 306 |
Top 36 institutions for Pathology/Experimental Pathology, 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 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 36 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 2 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 35 | 83% | — | $39,712 |
| 3 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 22 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 4 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 19 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 5 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 18 | 86% | — | $37,550 |
| 6 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicDoctoral | 17 | 64% | — | — |
| 7 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sMaster's | 13 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 8 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicDoctoral | 11 | 71% | — | $31,958 |
| 9 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 10 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 11 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 12 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicDoctoral | 8 | — | — | — |
| 13 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicDoctoral | 8 | 85% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 15 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 96% | $14,644 | — |
| 16 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | — | — | — |
| 17 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicDoctoral | 6 | 65% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicDoctoral | 6 | 85% | — | $32,970 |
| 19 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster's | 5 | 75% | — | $29,123 |
| 20 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 5 | 57% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NEPublicMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 22 | New York Medical College Valhalla, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | — | — | — |
| 23 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicDoctoral | 4 | 96% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 90% | — | — |
| 25 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 87% | — | — |
| 26 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicDoctoral | 3 | 67% | — | — |
| 27 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 89% | $21,956 | $35,873 |
| 28 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicDoctoral | 3 | 93% | — | — |
| 29 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicDoctoralMaster's | 3 | 91% | — | — |
| 30 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TXPublicDoctoral | 3 | — | — | — |
| 31 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicMaster's | 3 | 79% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicDoctoral | 2 | 75% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicDoctoral | 2 | 69% | — | — |
| 34 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 35 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicMaster's | 2 | 75% | — | — |
| 36 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 86% | — | — |
* 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 24 states
Where Pathology/Experimental Pathology graduates come from. Each state links to all Physiology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1042, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Pathology/Experimental Pathology program can pursue careers as Medical Scientists, Natural Sciences Managers, or Biological Science Teachers. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 8.7% and approximately 9,600 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $100,590, typically requiring a Doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0910
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 |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's 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 Pathology/Experimental Pathology 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
- 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
- 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, Bachelor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, active learning, and scientific analysis.
What kind of jobs can I get after graduation?+
Possible jobs include Medical Scientist, Natural Sciences Manager, and Biological Science Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth of 8.7%.
What is the CIP code for Pathology/Experimental Pathology?+
Pathology/Experimental Pathology is CIP 26.0910 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 expression, initiation, maintenance and progression of tissue injury and disease, including death, and the relationship of pathogenesis to fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms. Includes instruction in immunology, microbiology, gene expression, inflammation, cell injury, apoptosis, immunopathology, molecular markers of disease and toxins, neoplasia, growth regulation, and organ- and system-specific investigations.
How many institutions offer Pathology/Experimental Pathology programs?+
36 U.S. institutions reported Pathology/Experimental Pathology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 24 states, awarding 306 credentials in the year. That is 2.4% of all Physiology graduates.
How much do Pathology/Experimental Pathology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation, which Pathology/Experimental Pathology most directly leads to, pays a median of $103,410 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Physiology field report median earnings of $35,873 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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