Cell and Molecular Biology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Cell and Molecular Biology is a rigorous, interdisciplinary field dedicated to uncovering the fundamental mechanisms that govern life at the cellular and molecular levels. This program equips students with advanced knowledge of biological systems through a comprehensive exploration of cellular processes and their molecular underpinnings.
- Cell Biology: Investigates the structure, function, and behavior of cells, including their growth, division, signaling, and interactions within tissues and organisms.
- Cell Chemistry: Explores the biochemical composition and reactions within cells, focusing on metabolic pathways, enzyme activity, and molecular interactions that sustain cellular life.
- Molecular Biology: Examines the molecular basis of genetic information flow, including DNA replication, transcription, translation, and gene regulation at the molecular level.
- Biophysics: Applies principles of physics to understand the physical properties and dynamics of biological molecules and cellular systems, such as protein folding and membrane mechanics.
- Structural Biology: Utilizes techniques like X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy to determine the three-dimensional architecture of biomolecules and their functional implications.
Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Cell and Molecular Biology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Cell and Molecular Biology degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists and Biological Scientists, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 446,320 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 19-1042 | $100,590 | $61,860 - $168,210 | 156,300 | $48.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other 19-1029 | $93,330 | $54,500 - $159,780 | 59,710 | $44.87 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042 | $83,460 | $50,760 - $169,560 | 53,250 | N/A |
| Biological Technicians 19-4021 | $52,000 | $38,060 - $81,990 | 76,190 | $25.00 |
Cell and Molecular Biology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $68,060 in Louisiana to $127,446 in California—a 87% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 446,320 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Cell and Molecular Biology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 99 institutions offering Cell and Molecular Biology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Cell and Molecular Biology is found at University of California (UCB), Berkeley (781 graduates), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (284 graduates), University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (281 graduates), University of California (UCSD), San Diego (231 graduates), and Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (204 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,488 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
781 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
284 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
281 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
231 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
204 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
199 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
185 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
185 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
147 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
127 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
108 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
101 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
81 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
81 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
77 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
76 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Bachelor's
|
74 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| Harvard University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
73 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
73 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
66 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
61 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Augusta University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
39 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augusta.edu |
| University of New Haven (UNH) |
Master's
|
38 | West Haven, Connecticut | Private | newhaven.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
36 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
34 | Richardson, Texas | Public | utdallas.edu |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice |
Bachelor's
|
32 | New York, New York | Public | jjay.cuny.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| University of California |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Merced, California | Public | ucmerced.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
30 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
|
29 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
| Quinnipiac University (QU) |
Master's
|
27 | Hamden, Connecticut | Private | qu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
21 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Colorado College |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Private | coloradocollege.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Barnard College |
Bachelor's
|
17 | New York, New York | Private | barnard.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Duke University |
Postbac Cert.
|
16 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Oklahoma Christian University (OC) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Private | oc.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Houston, Texas | Private | bcm.edu |
| University of Puget Sound (UPS) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | pugetsound.edu |
| Stetson University |
Bachelor's
|
14 | DeLand, Florida | Private | stetson.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Master's
|
14 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| Lindenwood University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Saint Charles, Missouri | Private | lindenwood.edu |
| University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center |
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Dallas, Texas | Public | utsouthwestern.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Brown University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Trinity University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | new.trinity.edu |
| Harding University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Searcy, Arkansas | Private | harding.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Saint Vincent College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Latrobe, Pennsylvania | Private | stvincent.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| John Carroll University (JCU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | University Heights, Ohio | Private | jcu.edu |
| Oklahoma City University (OCU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | okcu.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center |
Master's
|
6 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | uthscsa.edu |
| College of Western Idaho (CWI) |
Associate's
|
6 | Nampa, Idaho | Public | cwi.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Martin, Tennessee | Public | utm.edu |
| Sacred Heart University (SHU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | sacredheart.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Houston, Texas | Private | stthom.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Master's
|
3 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| Salish Kootenai College (SKC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Pablo, Montana | Public | skc.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Houston, Texas | Public | uth.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Western New Mexico University (WNMU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Silver City, New Mexico | Public | wnmu.edu |
| Kent State University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Other Award
|
2 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Saint Joseph's University (SJU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | sju.edu |
| Seattle Pacific University (SPU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Seattle, Washington | Private | spu.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| St. Thomas University (STU) |
Master's
|
1 | Miami Gardens, Florida | Private | stu.edu |
| University of Indianapolis (UIndy) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | uindy.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Universidad Central Del Caribe (UCC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | uccaribe.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Cell and Molecular Biology programs
How much can I earn with a Cell and Molecular Biology degree?
Salaries for Cell and Molecular Biology graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn around $100,590. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $127,446 compared to $68,060 in Louisiana. Approximately 446,320 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Cell and Molecular Biology programs?
Currently 99 accredited institutions offer Cell and Molecular Biology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCB), Berkeley (781 graduates), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (284 graduates), and University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (281 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Cell and Molecular Biology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,643 in 2010 to 4,488 in 2023-24. This represents a 70% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Cell and Molecular Biology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and Biological Scientists, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 446,320 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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