Physiology graduates earn $62,172 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 17.9%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Health Specialties Teachers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Physiology 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.
Physiology is a focused area of study within Biology. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $62,172 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 265 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 10,453 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$31,146
Median Earnings · 4yr
$62,172
Colleges Offering
265
Graduates / Year
10,453
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,867
How Much Do Physiology Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Physiology, a typical graduate earns $62,172, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $41,546 and $83,514, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $31,146 at one year out to $62,172 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$62,172
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$60,151
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Physiology graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.
$41,54625th pct.
$62,172Median
$83,51475th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $62,172 and an estimated $79,468 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.5 years.
Based on outcomes from 159 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 10,453 students who complete Physiology programs each year, the majority (72%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
72%20%
Bachelor's72%
Master's20%
Doctorate7%
What Can You Do With a Physiology Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Physiology graduates show up in 6 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.
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.
Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.
Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Doctoral or professional degree10,500 openings/yr172K employed nationally
WritingActive LearningScienceSpeakingJudgment 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.
Assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.
Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
Top Colleges for Physiology
Not sure where to study Physiology? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Physiology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Biology Programs
Physiology is not the only path through Biology: 14 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Physiology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Physiology shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $62,172 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $31,146 at graduation to $62,172 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +17.9% over the next decade, with Health Specialties Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 53,600 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMost 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 expectedTop 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.
Physiology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Physiology graduates earn?
$62,172 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $41,546 and $83,514, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Physiology degree?
$31,146 in the first year out. That grows to $62,172 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Physiology 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 Physiology program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Physiology bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Physiology?
265 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.
Is a Physiology degree worth it?
$62,172 median earnings four years out against $19,867 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Physiology and Biology?
Physiology is the narrower of the two: Biology covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Physiology-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 Physiology graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Physiology 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 Physiology 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 Physiology graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +11.9% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Health Specialties Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +17.9%. 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.
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