Best institutions to study Physiology
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 of complexity and integration.
70 U.S. institutions graduated 3,004 Physiology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0901, a specialization of Physiology (CIP 26.09), and leads most directly to the Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1042).
About Physiology programs
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 of complexity and integration. Includes instruction in reproduction, growth, hormonal action, vascular function, respiration, digestion, sensory perception and processing, sensorimotor integration, signal encoding and conveyance, homeostasis, physical function and malfunction, evolutionary physiology, and disease processes.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Physiology program offers a comprehensive exploration of the functional dynamics and biochemical communications within living organisms. This general program is designed for students interested in understanding complex biological systems, including topics such as reproduction, growth, and disease processes. It is ideal for those pursuing careers in biological and biomedical sciences.
Students in the Physiology program will gain essential skills in writing, critical thinking, and active learning. Coursework covers a range of subjects, including biology, chemistry, and mathematics, equipping students with the knowledge necessary to analyze and conduct research in various biological contexts.
Credentials awarded
What Physiology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,963 graduates / yr · 26 institutions65%
- Master's degree625 graduates / yr · 34 institutions21%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year193 graduates / yr · 3 institutions6.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship138 graduates / yr · 35 institutions4.6%
- Associate's degree77 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.6%
- Post-master's certificate8 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Physiology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,974 |
| 2013 | 2,105 |
| 2014 | 2,228 |
| 2015 | 2,388 |
| 2016 | 2,418 |
| 2017 | 2,443 |
| 2018 | 2,594 |
| 2019 | 2,639 |
| 2020 | 2,778 |
| 2021 | 2,972 |
| 2022 | 3,018 |
| 2023 | 3,076 |
| 2024 | 2,786 |
| 2025 | 3,004 |
Top 50 institutions for Physiology, 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 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 372 | 74% | — | $33,926 |
| 2 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 298 | 68% | — | $28,435 |
| 3 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 245 | 93% | — | $23,151 |
| 4 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 211 | 72% | — | $27,502 |
| 5 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 159 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 6 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 140 | 89% | $21,956 | $35,873 |
| 7 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 134 | 85% | — | $32,970 |
| 8 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor's | 118 | 85% | — | $31,613 |
| 9 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor's | 104 | 90% | — | — |
| 10 | Golden West College Huntington Beach, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 102 | 49% | — | — |
| 11 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 87 | 81% | $13,712 | $25,101 |
| 12 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 84 | 84% | — | — |
| 13 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 81 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 14 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAssociate's | 77 | 37% | — | — |
| 15 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 71 | 81% | — | $29,642 |
| 16 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicMaster's | 67 | 85% | — | — |
| 17 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 43 | 49% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 34 | 81% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicBachelor's | 33 | 59% | — | $23,766 |
| 20 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicBachelor's | 32 | 47% | — | $32,629 |
| 21 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 22 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 26 | 76% | $29,726 | — |
| 23 | Benedictine University Lisle, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 50% | $23,570 | — |
| 24 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 23 | 61% | — | — |
| 25 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 23 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 26 | Chapman University Orange, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 82% | $42,965 | — |
| 27 | Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 22 | 42% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 20 | 93% | — | — |
| 29 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 20 | 62% | $24,653 | $26,478 |
| 30 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster's | 19 | 75% | — | — |
| 31 | SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Brooklyn, NYPublicMaster's | 18 | — | — | — |
| 32 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, ILPublicBachelor's | 16 | 62% | — | — |
| 33 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 34 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster's | 16 | 76% | — | — |
| 35 | Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | — | — | — |
| 36 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 14 | 85% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 12 | 83% | — | $39,712 |
| 38 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NEPublicMaster's | 11 | — | — | — |
| 39 | Weill Medical College of Cornell University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 11 | — | — | — |
| 40 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 83% | $25,376 | $31,173 |
| 41 | Taylor University Upland, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 74% | $20,836 | $30,723 |
| 42 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicDoctoralMaster's | 10 | 69% | — | — |
| 43 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor's | 10 | 71% | — | $31,958 |
| 44 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor's | 10 | 68% | — | — |
| 45 | Louisiana State University - Shreveport Shreveport, LAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 38% | — | — |
| 46 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 58% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 48 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 8 | 89% | $20,914 | — |
| 49 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicDoctoral | 7 | 87% | — | — |
| 50 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 45% | — | — |
* 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 31 states & territories
Where Physiology 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 Physiology program can pursue careers as medical scientists or biological science teachers. The job outlook for medical scientists is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.7% and approximately 9,600 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $100,590, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0901
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 Physiology 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
- 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
- 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 Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Physiology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, and scientific analysis.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a medical scientist or a biological science teacher.
What is the job outlook for medical scientists?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 8.7%.
What is the CIP code for Physiology?+
Physiology is CIP 26.0901 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Physiology (CIP 26.09). NCES defines it as: 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 of complexity and integration. Includes instruction in reproduction, growth, hormonal action, vascular function, respiration, digestion, sensory perception and processing, sensorimotor integration, signal encoding and conveyance, homeostasis, physical function and malfunction, evolutionary physiology, and disease processes.
How many institutions offer Physiology programs?+
70 U.S. institutions reported Physiology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 31 states & territories, awarding 3,004 credentials in the year. That is 23.8% of all Physiology graduates.
How much do Physiology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation, which Physiology 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 $30,723 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card