by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, biophysics was the 732nd most popular major nationwide with 269 degrees awarded. This represents a 86.6% reduction in biophysics degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 502.
This year's Best Biophysics Schools ranking compares 46 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biophysics programs later in this article.
A major in biophysics prepares you for careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is crucial. Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
biophysics degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific biophysics careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of biophysics degrees. Biophysics programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest biophysics degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a biophysics degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to biophysics, with approximately 29.2% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for biophysics workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 28.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 23.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 22.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.5% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 2.5% |
About 63.6% of workers in careers related to biophysics obtain at least master's degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in biophysics careers have.
This of course varies depending on which biophysics career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your biophysics degree? Biophysics careers are expected to grow 12.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biophysics.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists | 136,100 | 13.4% |
| Biological Science Professors | 71,700 | 15.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | 35,100 | 11.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for biophysics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for biophysics graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers biophysics grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $105,940 |
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
| Medical Scientists | $96,420 |
With over 125 different biophysics degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased biophysics school rankings to help you with this.
One of 8 majors within the Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology area of study, Biophysics has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry | 10,320 |
| Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | 1,511 |
| Molecular Biology | 1,394 |
| Molecular Biochemistry | 521 |
| Other Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology | 259 |
