by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, molecular biology was the 356th most popular major nationwide with 1,394 degrees awarded. This 30 less than the prior year, a decrease of 2.2%.
Our 2023 Best Molecular Biology Schools ranking analyzes 57 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for molecular biology students. Explore this or one of our many other custom molecular biology rankings further below.
Molecular Biology majors are found most commonly in careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is important. Required skills include 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.
molecular biology 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. Once you obtain your degree, additional molecular biology certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Molecular Biology degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in molecular biology to something that takes less time like a . The time it takes to complete a molecular biology 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 molecular biology, with approximately 31.3% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to molecular biology tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 30.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 22.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 21.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.0% |
61.6% of molecular biology workers have at least a master's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in molecular biology have received.
The education level required is different depending on the molecular biology career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your molecular biology degree? Molecular Biology careers are expected to grow 12.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to molecular biology.
| 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% |
| Biological Scientists | 41,800 | 8.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for molecular biology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for molecular biology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers molecular biology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
| Medical Scientists | $96,420 |
| Biological Scientists | $83,600 |
With over 165 different molecular biology 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 molecular biology school rankings to help you with this.
One of 8 majors within the Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology area of study, Molecular Biology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry | 10,320 |
| Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | 1,511 |
| Molecular Biochemistry | 521 |
| Biophysics | 269 |
| Other Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology | 259 |
