Physiology and Pathology Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Programs in physiology and pathology sciences explore the functional mechanisms of living organisms and the nature, causes, and effects of disease processes. This interdisciplinary field integrates core biological principles with clinical and research-oriented approaches to understand how systems operate under normal and diseased conditions.
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology: Investigates the biochemical and biophysical processes that govern cell function, including membrane transport, signal transduction, and energy metabolism.
- Organ System Physiology: Examines the integrated functions of major organ systems—such as cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and renal systems—under healthy and pathological states.
- Pathophysiology: Focuses on the mechanisms by which diseases develop and progress, emphasizing alterations in normal physiological processes due to injury, infection, or genetic factors.
- Comparative Physiology: Studies physiological adaptations across species to understand evolutionary mechanisms and biological diversity in function and regulation.
- Medical and Clinical Applications: Applies physiological and pathological knowledge to diagnostic methods, therapeutic strategies, and patient care in clinical and research environments.
- Research Methodologies in Life Sciences: Develops skills in experimental design, data analysis, and laboratory techniques used to investigate physiological and pathological phenomena.
Physiology and Pathology Sciences Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Physiology and Pathology Sciences Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Physiology and Pathology Sciences degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. 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 386,020 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 19-1042 | $100,590 | $61,860 - $168,210 | 156,300 | $48.36 |
Physiology and Pathology Sciences Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $136,330 in District of Columbia—a 183% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Arkansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 386,020 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 Physiology and Pathology Sciences by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Physiology and Pathology Sciences 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 Physiology and Pathology Sciences is found at University of California (UCD), Davis (84 graduates), Wheaton College (23 graduates), University of Delaware (UD) (13 graduates), San Diego State University (SDSU) (6 graduates), and Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (4 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 148 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 (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
84 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Master's
|
13 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Master's
|
6 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Temple University |
Master's
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
2 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
|
2 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Tuskegee University (TU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Tuskegee, Alabama | Private | tuskegee.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Maharishi International University (MIU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Fairfield, Iowa | Private | miu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Physiology and Pathology Sciences programs
How much can I earn with a Physiology and Pathology Sciences degree?
Salaries for Physiology and Pathology Sciences graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn around $100,590. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $136,330 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 386,020 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 Physiology and Pathology Sciences programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Physiology and Pathology Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCD), Davis (84 graduates), Wheaton College (23 graduates), and University of Delaware (UD) (13 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 Physiology and Pathology Sciences growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 43 in 2010 to a peak of 158 in 2020, before declining slightly to 148 in 2023-24. This represents a 244% 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 Physiology and Pathology Sciences degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, . Related occupations employ approximately 386,020 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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