by our College Data Analytics TeamToxicology was the 845th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 176 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 2.3% reduction in toxicology degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 180.
This year's Best Toxicology Schools ranking compares 24 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of toxicology programs later in this article.
Toxicology majors are found most commonly in careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is important. 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.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most toxicology degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic toxicology program qualifications, to serve in some toxicology careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of toxicology degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in toxicology to something that takes less time like a . Depending on the toxicology degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| 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 toxicology, with approximately 31.3% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for toxicology workers below.
| 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% |
Most workers in toxicology have at least a master's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in toxicology have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the toxicology career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your toxicology degree? Toxicology careers are expected to grow 12.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to toxicology.
| 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 toxicology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for toxicology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers toxicology 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 81 different toxicology 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 toxicology school rankings to help you with this.
Toxicology is one of 7 different types of Pharmacology & Toxicology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology | 479 |
| Pharmacology & Toxicology | 200 |
| Environmental Toxicology | 89 |
| Molecular Pharmacology | 55 |
| Neuropharmacology | 22 |
Image Credit: By Fvasconcellos under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
