Bioethics and Medical Ethics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the complex moral and societal dimensions of modern healthcare through a rigorous academic lens. This program equips students with the analytical tools to navigate ethical challenges in clinical practice, biomedical research, and health policy, fostering thoughtful decision-making grounded in interdisciplinary insight.
- Philosophical ethics: Examine foundational theories of right and wrong, justice, and moral responsibility as they apply to medical contexts.
- Moral value and decision theory: Investigate how individuals and institutions assess ethical trade-offs in high-stakes healthcare scenarios.
- Medical sociology: Analyze how social structures, inequality, and cultural norms shape health outcomes and medical interactions.
- Theology and spirituality in health: Study the role of religious and spiritual beliefs in patient care, end-of-life decisions, and healthcare provider well-being.
- Policy analysis and health care justice: Evaluate systemic inequities in access to care and assess ethical frameworks for reforming health policy.
- Research ethics and human/animal subjects: Grasp the principles governing ethical conduct in scientific inquiry, including consent, risk, and welfare standards.
- Reproduction and fertility ethics: Explore moral questions surrounding assisted reproductive technologies, genetic screening, and reproductive rights.
- Death and dying: Engage with end-of-life care, advance directives, physician-assisted dying, and palliative ethics.
- Organ transplantation and allocation: Consider fairness, medical criteria, and public trust in the distribution of scarce life-saving resources.
- Cultural sensitivity and needs assessment: Develop competencies in recognizing diverse values and beliefs to deliver equitable, patient-centered care.
- Professionalism and conflict of interest: Address integrity, accountability, and transparency in clinical and research environments.
- Chaplaincy and pastoral care: Understand the ethical and emotional support roles of spiritual care providers in healthcare settings.
- Clinical and emergency ethics: Apply ethical reasoning to urgent situations requiring rapid judgment under pressure.
Bioethics and Medical Ethics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Bioethics and Medical Ethics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Bioethics and Medical Ethics degrees, including Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other and Directors, Religious Activities and Education. 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 79,270 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1126 | $78,050 | $47,550 - $134,910 | 20,840 | N/A |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other 29-9099 | $64,030 | $37,220 - $127,340 | 36,970 | $30.78 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education 21-2021 | $54,840 | $33,990 - $106,530 | 21,460 | $26.37 |
Bioethics and Medical Ethics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $39,660 in South Dakota to $89,030 in District of Columbia—a 124% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and New Hampshire. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 79,270 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 Bioethics and Medical Ethics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 49 institutions offering Bioethics and Medical Ethics 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 Bioethics and Medical Ethics is found at Harvard University (73 graduates), Oregon State University (OSU) (62 graduates), Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) (53 graduates), University of Richmond (UR) (50 graduates), and Loyola University Chicago (LUC) (43 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 757 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University |
Master's
|
73 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
62 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
53 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| University of Richmond (UR) |
Bachelor's
|
50 | University of Richmond, Virginia | Private | richmond.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
43 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
|
42 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Temple University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
35 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
|
28 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Baylor University |
Other Award
|
28 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
26 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Kansas City University (KCU) |
Master's
|
23 | Kansas City, Missouri | Private | kansascity.edu |
| Rhodes College |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | rhodes.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
20 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Albert Einstein College of Medicine |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
16 | Bronx, New York | Private | einsteinmed.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
15 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Clarkson University (Clarkson) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
15 | Potsdam, New York | Private | clarkson.edu |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Master's
|
14 | Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
| Albany Medical College (AMC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
13 | Albany, New York | Private | amc.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Augusta University (AU) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
13 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augusta.edu |
| University of Mary (UMary) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
12 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Private | umary.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Houston Christian University (HCU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Houston, Texas | Private | hc.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Post-Master's
|
11 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Creighton University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
10 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Master's
|
10 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Master's
|
9 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| Emory University |
Master's
|
8 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Other Award
|
8 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| Trinity International University (TIU) |
Master's
|
7 | Deerfield, Illinois | Private | tiu.edu |
| Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 | Rootstown, Ohio | Public | neomed.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| University of South Dakota (USD) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Vermillion, South Dakota | Public | usd.edu |
| St. Thomas University (STU) |
Master's
|
4 | Miami Gardens, Florida | Private | stu.edu |
| Juniata College |
Other Award
|
4 | Huntingdon, Pennsylvania | Private | juniata.edu |
| Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
4 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | mcw.edu |
| Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) |
Master's
|
4 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | lecom.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Master's
|
3 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Master's
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) |
Other Award
|
2 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Private | cuw.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| DePaul University |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Galveston, Texas | Public | utmb.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Bioethics and Medical Ethics programs
How much can I earn with a Bioethics and Medical Ethics degree?
Salaries for Bioethics and Medical Ethics graduates vary by role and location. Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $78,050 annually, while Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other earn around $64,030. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $89,030 compared to $39,660 in South Dakota. Approximately 79,270 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 Bioethics and Medical Ethics programs?
Currently 49 accredited institutions offer Bioethics and Medical Ethics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Harvard University (73 graduates), Oregon State University (OSU) (62 graduates), and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) (53 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 Bioethics and Medical Ethics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 230 in 2010 to 757 in 2023-24. This represents a 229% 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 Bioethics and Medical Ethics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other, and Directors, Religious Activities and Education. Related occupations employ approximately 79,270 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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