Home Majors Cell Biology
Academic Field / Biological Sciences

Cell Biology

Students study the structure and function of cells, including cell division, organelle biology, tissue architecture, and the molecular mechanisms of disease. Graduates typically pursue careers in biomedical research, pharmaceutical development, clinical laboratory science, and as strong candidates for medical school and graduate programs. This major provides the deep biological knowledge essential for careers in healthcare and life sciences research.

Schools
39
Programs analyzed
Earnings
$37,398
Avg 1-yr grad earnings
Range $20,721–$65,551
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Field Overview

What Cell Biology graduates do

Your degree prepares you for a future at the microscopic frontier of medicine and research. Many graduates begin their careers as biological technicians, performing the essential hands-on work in a lab: preparing samples, running complex equipment, and meticulously documenting results for senior scientists. With an advanced degree, you could become a medical scientist, designing experiments to unlock the secrets of diseases like cancer, analyzing data, and pursuing breakthroughs in academic or private labs. Another major pathway involves teaching, where you might train the next generation of doctors and nurses as a postsecondary health specialties teacher, a field with exceptionally strong demand.

Career progression often involves moving from a technician role to a lead scientist and eventually to a natural sciences manager, overseeing entire research departments. Artificial intelligence is becoming a key collaborator in these fields. Expect AI to automate significant parts of your work, like analyzing thousands of cell images or sifting through genomic data, freeing you up for higher-level experimental design and interpretation. The jobs aren't disappearing, but your day-to-day tasks will evolve, placing a premium on adaptability. While some pure research roles face slow growth, the need for skilled educators in health sciences is expanding rapidly.

Students weighing Cell Biology often also consider Physiology, Microbiology & Immunology, and Biochemistry — compare earnings, ROI, and AI outlook side by side.

Career Trajectories

Where Cell Biology graduates work

Common career paths for Cell Biology graduates, with median salaries, projected growth, and AI exposure per role. Roughly 70,200 combined openings per year across these roles.

Role Median Pay Annual Openings 10-yr Growth AI Exposure
Natural sciences managers
$161,180
$114K–$215K
8,500 +3.7% High · 50%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
$74K–$176K
27,400 +17.3% Moderate · 48%
Biochemists and biophysicists
$103,650
$79K–$134K
2,900 +5.8% Moderate · 45%
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
$100,590
$77K–$134K
9,600 +8.7% High · 52%
Biological scientists, all other
$93,330
$68K–$121K
4,800 +1.2% Moderate · 49%
Microbiologists
$87,330
$64K–$121K
1,700 +4.1% Moderate · 40%
Epidemiologists
$83,980
$68K–$106K
800 +16.2% Moderate · 44%
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
$83,460
$64K–$125K
5,400 +7.3% Moderate · 47%
Biological technicians
$52,000
$45K–$66K
9,100 +3.5% Moderate · 42%
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).
Top Institutions

Best schools for Cell Biology

Schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score (earnings × AI resilience × ROI × job-market size). Top 10 of 39.

Rank #1 · DegreeOutlook Score 63
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · Public
$47,315 1-yr earnings
26.6x ROI multiple
High AI risk
# School DW Score 1-yr Earnings ROI
5 University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA · Public
56 $45,088 12.6x
6 University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
52 $43,270 10.8x
7 University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth, MN · Public
50 $44,501 10.2x
8 University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA · Public
49 $42,075 11.3x
9 Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA · Public
49 $39,225 14.8x
10 Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit
48 $51,569 2.7x
11 University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO · Public
48 $43,192 8.7x
12 University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public
48 $37,952 10.9x
13 University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus
Waterbury, CT · Public
48 $35,393 11.2x
14 University of Connecticut-Avery Point
Groton, CT · Public
48 $35,393 11.2x
15 University of Connecticut-Stamford
Stamford, CT · Public
48 $35,393 11.2x
16 University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus
Hartford, CT · Public
48 $35,393 11.2x
17 Montana State University
Bozeman, MT · Public
48 $32,538 20.5x
18 University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · Public
46 $35,393 9.5x
19 Parker University
Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit
45 $53,632 6.7x
20 University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
45 $36,945 10.8x
Which school is best for Cell Biology? See our complete ranking of 39 programs →

Related majors

Similar fields of study often offered alongside Cell Biology.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Cell Biology

How much do Cell Biology graduates earn?

First-year earnings for Cell Biology graduates average $37,398 annually, based on data from 39 programs. The range spans $20,721 at the low end to $65,551 at the top.

Will AI affect Cell Biology careers?

AI exposure for Cell Biology is rated "High." With 52% of tasks potentially affected by large language models, most career functions face meaningful automation pressure in the coming decade.

Where should I study Cell Biology?

California State University-Northridge leads all 39 programs with a DegreeOutlook Score of 63/100. Graduates earn $47,315/yr — the ranking weighs earnings, ROI, AI resilience, and job market size equally.

What's the ROI on a Cell Biology degree?

The average 10-year earnings multiple is 10.6x tuition. This is a strong return on investment. The spread between the best and worst programs is wide, so individual school selection has a major impact.