by our College Data Analytics TeamCells are the basic building blocks of life. There are infinite amounts of them, all with different functions. A major in Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences will allow you to study microscopic cells: their composition, specific functions and organization. You will learn how organisms grow, reproduce, and survive in their environments.
In order for you to completely understand cells and cell function you will take a variety of classes. These classes could include: chemistry, physics, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, biology, microbiology, and immunology.
Concentrations within this major include: Cell Biology & Histology, Anatomy, Developmental Biology & Embryology, Cell & Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology & Anatomy.
In 2021-2022, cell biology & anatomical sciences was the 111th most popular major nationwide with 6,440 degrees awarded. This year's Best Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools ranking compares 67 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom cell biology rankings further below.
This major requires a dedicated and determined student. Cell Biology is fascinating, yet sometimes complex to understand. Students will need clear writing in order to complete lab reports and make complicated information simple to understand. You will tap into your critical thinking skills when performing experiments, doing research and completing concise short answer questions. There will be a mixture of attending lectures and participating in labs. Labs help you put into practice the theories learned in the classroom.
As you continue to work towards your degree, you will learn skills that will help you succeed in school and a career. You will be able to design, collect, evaluate, and interpret experimental data. Participate in class, work in group projects, and communicate with your professors in order to develop scientific literacy, analytical skills and time management.
cell biology & anatomical sciences 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 cell biology certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Cell Biology degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in cell biology & anatomical sciences to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common cell biology degree levels is shown below.
| 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 cell biology, with approximately 28.9% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for cell biology workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 27.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 21.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 21.7% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 19.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.3% |
63.4% of cell biology workers have at least a master's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in cell biology & anatomical sciences have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which cell biology career you choose.
Studying Cell Biology will give you a great starting point if you are planning on entering into a graduate studies program. However if you would like to jump right into a career you can find work in areas such as teaching, academic writing, research, or the legal, commercial or medical aspects are associated with cell biology.
Want a job when you graduate with your cell biology degree? Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences careers are expected to grow 11.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cell biology & anatomical sciences.
| 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% |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | 35,100 | 11.4% |
Recently graduated cell biology & anatomical sciences students earned an average of $37,410 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $20,721 to as high as $171,112. As you might expect, salaries for cell biology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for cell biology & anatomical sciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers cell biology 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 |
| Biological Scientists | $83,600 |
With over 435 different cell 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 cell biology school rankings to help you with this.
Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences is one of 14 different types of Biological & Biomedical Sciences programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology | 4,386 |
| Anatomy | 930 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology & Histology | 563 |
| Other Cell/Cellular Biology & Anatomical Sciences | 350 |
| Cell Biology & Anatomy | 139 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Biology | 106,032 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology | 14,558 |
| Neurobiology & Neurosciences | 12,616 |
| Physiology & Pathology Sciences | 9,568 |
| Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology | 7,935 |
Image Credit: By Kelvin Song under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
