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Molecular Biology

Molecular Biology graduates pursue 3 occupations, with top roles paying $167,220/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.

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About Molecular Biology

This page covers Molecular Biology as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Biology and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Molecular Biology is a focused area of study within Biology. You will not have trouble finding it: 15 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 130 students complete it each year, most walking away with a master's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.

Colleges Offering: 15
Graduates / Year: 130
Avg Net Price / yr: $28,133

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 130 students who complete Molecular Biology programs each year, the majority (57%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

57% 43%

Master's 57%

Doctorate 43%

What Can You Do With a Molecular Biology Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Molecular Biology graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Natural Sciences Managers pay the most at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what Natural Sciences Managers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +8.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Natural Sciences Managers

$167,220

$119K $222K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 9,200 openings/yr 109K employed nationally

Science Reading Comprehension Active Listening Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.

↗ +12.6% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Medical Scientists

$103,410

$80K $139K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 10,500 openings/yr 172K employed nationally

Writing Active Learning Science Speaking Judgment and Decision Making

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.

↗ +7.3% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Biological Science Teachers

$84,620

$64K $127K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 4,700 openings/yr 50K employed nationally

Speaking Learning Strategies Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as molecular biology, marine biology, and botany.
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.

Top Colleges for Molecular Biology

Only 7 colleges had enough verified data to appear here for Molecular Biology. They are sorted by graduate volume, not selectivity, so use them as a starting point rather than a ranking.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at University of Georgia, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	University of Georgia Athens, GA · Public	64	37.7%	$13,936	$68,726
2	Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH · Nonprofit	13	36.5%	$41,190	$87,989
3	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public	9	86.1%	$16,674	$59,979
4	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH · Public	6	85.3%	$25,648	$54,810
5	George Washington University Washington, DC · Nonprofit	5	47.1%	$36,586	$90,873
6	Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC · Nonprofit	5	21.7%	$28,719	$78,158
7	Hofstra University Hempstead, NY · Nonprofit	3	68.1%	$34,176	$69,039

Ranked by Molecular Biology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Molecular Biology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Molecular Biology degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Molecular Biology Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Molecular Biology shows 2 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS

Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +12.6% over the next decade, with Medical Scientists among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 24,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Licensure often required Most roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Limited program availability Only 15 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.

Molecular Biology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs can you get with a Molecular Biology degree?

Natural Sciences Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $167,220 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.

How long does a Molecular Biology program take?

Four years for the bachelor's, plus one to two more if you continue on to a master's, which many Molecular Biology students do. Some schools shorten that with an accelerated 5-year combined program.

How many colleges offer Molecular Biology?

15 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.

What is the difference between Molecular Biology and Biology?

Molecular Biology is the narrower of the two: Biology covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Molecular Biology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.

What skills do employers look for in Molecular Biology graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Molecular Biology graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.

Is graduate school worth it for Molecular Biology graduates?

Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.

What is the job outlook for Molecular Biology graduates?

Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +9.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Medical Scientists are among the strongest-growth roles at +12.6%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.