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Physiology

Students study how organ systems function in health and disease, including cardiovascular, respiratory, neural, and endocrine physiology alongside the mechanisms of disease. Graduates typically pursue careers in medical research, pharmaceutical development, clinical laboratory science, and as top candidates for medical, dental, and physical therapy programs. This major provides the deepest understanding of human body function among biology specialties.

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Schools

Programs analyzed

Earnings

$31,043

Avg 1-yr grad earnings

Range $21,454–$39,712

Outlook

36/100

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

AI Risk

High

51% task exposure

Field Overview

What Physiology graduates do

Your degree will immerse you in the intricate mechanics of the human body, preparing you for careers at the forefront of health and discovery. Many graduates become medical scientists, working in labs to design experiments that unravel the mysteries of disease and develop new treatments. Your days could involve analyzing biological samples, testing drug compounds, and publishing findings that push medicine forward. Others pursue advanced degrees to become health specialties teachers, training future doctors and nurses in university classrooms and labs.

With experience, a successful scientist can advance to a natural sciences manager role, leading research teams and directing strategy. While the demand for medical scientists and educators is growing quickly, AI will reshape the work. With moderate exposure, expect AI to automate significant chunks of routine data analysis, freeing you to focus on complex problem-solving, experimental design, and interpreting results. Your career will depend on your adaptability and your ability to leverage these powerful new tools for discovery.

Closely-related majors include Cell Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry, which share overlapping career paths and skill sets.

Career Trajectories

Where Physiology graduates work

Common career paths for Physiology graduates, with median salaries, projected growth, and AI exposure per role. Roughly 60,300 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%
Biological science teachers, postsecondary	$83,460 $64K–$125K	5,400	+7.3%	Moderate · 47%
Exercise physiologists	$58,160 $49K–$65K	1,700	+9.5%	Low · 26%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).

Top Institutions

Best schools for Physiology

Schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score (earnings × AI resilience × ROI × job-market size). Top 10 of 62.

Rank #1 · DegreeOutlook Score 54

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$36,707 1-yr earnings

25.2x ROI multiple

High AI risk

Ohio University-Eastern Campus

Saint Clairsville, OH · #2

$36,886/yr · 27.9x ROI

Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus

Chillicothe, OH · #3

$36,886/yr · 27.9x ROI

Ohio University-Southern Campus

Ironton, OH · #4

$36,886/yr · 27.9x ROI

#	School	DW Score	1-yr Earnings	ROI
5	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Lancaster, OH · Public	53	$36,886	27.9x
6	Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Zanesville, OH · Public	53	$36,886	27.9x
7	University of California-Davis Davis, CA · Public	48	$37,550	11.2x
8	Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH · Public	47	$36,886	12.0x
9	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury, CT · Public	46	$39,712	8.8x
10	University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton, CT · Public	46	$39,712	8.8x
11	University of Connecticut-Stamford Stamford, CT · Public	46	$39,712	8.8x
12	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Hartford, CT · Public	46	$39,712	8.8x
13	University of Connecticut Storrs, CT · Public	45	$39,712	7.4x
14	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public	43	$32,970	12.7x
15	Brigham Young University Provo, UT · Private nonprofit	43	$25,101	26.0x
16	University of Wyoming Laramie, WY · Public	43	$23,766	24.5x
17	University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public	42	$24,588	25.2x
18	Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public	42	$23,574	29.1x
19	University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public	41	$33,926	9.3x
20	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA · Public	41	$31,915	10.0x
21	University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC · Public	41	$30,779	18.2x
22	Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA · Public	41	$30,340	15.5x
23	University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY · Public	41	$29,123	14.8x
24	Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID · Private nonprofit	40	$25,831	29.1x
25	Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA · Private nonprofit	39	$37,977	2.4x
26	California State University-San Marcos San Marcos, CA · Public	39	$36,889	10.9x
27	East Carolina University Greenville, NC · Public	39	$27,494	18.4x
28	West Virginia University Morgantown, WV · Public	39	$24,463	16.3x
29	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public	39	$23,151	13.0x
30	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN · Public	38	$31,613	9.4x
31	California State University-Chico Chico, CA · Public	38	$25,952	17.4x
32	Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA · Public	38	$25,379	17.0x
33	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public	37	$28,435	11.1x
34	Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public	36	$29,642	9.3x
35	University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC · Public	36	$27,374	11.4x
36	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI · Public	35	$35,727	11.3x
37	University of Oregon Eugene, OR · Public	35	$27,502	9.9x
38	SUNY Brockport Brockport, NY · Public	35	$22,986	14.9x
39	Life University Marietta, GA · Private nonprofit	34	$36,662	5.1x
40	Gonzaga University Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit	33	$33,486	2.6x
41	The University of Montana Missoula, MT · Public	32	$32,671	9.0x
42	Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, TX · Public	32	$27,539	11.6x
43	University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO · Public	31	$32,629	7.4x
44	Wichita State University Wichita, KS · Public	30	$32,125	7.6x
45	College of Charleston Charleston, SC · Public	30	$27,467	9.4x
46	Kansas State University Manhattan, KS · Public	29	$31,958	6.3x
47	Ashland University Ashland, OH · Private nonprofit	29	$31,192	4.1x
48	Boston University Boston, MA · Private nonprofit	27	$35,873	0.4x
49	Marquette University Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit	27	$31,173	2.4x
50	Auburn University Auburn, AL · Public	27	$29,884	5.0x
51	University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartanburg, SC · Public	27	$28,616	8.7x
52	Ithaca College Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit	24	$32,794	1.9x
53	Oregon State University Corvallis, OR · Public	24	$27,182	4.0x
54	California Baptist University Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit	23	$31,146	1.0x
55	Taylor University Upland, IN · Private nonprofit	22	$30,723	1.0x
56	Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY · Private nonprofit	22	$30,632	0.2x
57	Shenandoah University Winchester, VA · Private nonprofit	22	$24,058	3.1x
58	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit	19	$26,478	0.7x
59	Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OH · Private nonprofit	19	$21,454	2.6x
60	University of Miami Coral Gables, FL · Private nonprofit	18	$28,243	1.6x
61	Creighton University Omaha, NE · Private nonprofit	18	$23,926	0.3x
62	Ursinus College Collegeville, PA · Private nonprofit	17	$26,123	1.5x

How do Physiology programs stack up? See 62 schools ranked by earnings and value →

Highest Earnings Top 5

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus CT	$39,712
University of Connecticut-Avery Point CT	$39,712
University of Connecticut-Stamford CT	$39,712
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus CT	$39,712
University of Connecticut CT	$39,712

Best ROI Top 5

Brigham Young University-Idaho ID	29.1x
Florida State University FL	29.1x
Ohio University-Eastern Campus OH	27.9x
Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus OH	27.9x
Ohio University-Southern Campus OH	27.9x

Related majors

Similar fields of study often offered alongside Physiology.

Biology Biochemistry Zoology Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Microbiology & Immunology Cell Biology Neuroscience Biotechnology Genetics Pharmacology & Toxicology Bioinformatics Psychology

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Physiology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Physiology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →

FAQ

Frequently asked about Physiology

What do Physiology graduates make in their first year?

The median first-year salary across 62 Physiology programs is $31,043. School selection matters — the gap between the lowest ($21,454) and highest ($39,712) earning programs is significant.

What is the AI automation risk for Physiology?

AI exposure for Physiology is rated "High." With 51% of tasks potentially affected by large language models, most career functions face meaningful automation pressure in the coming decade.

What's the top-ranked school for Physiology?

San Francisco State University leads all 62 programs with a DegreeOutlook Score of 54/100. Graduates earn $36,707/yr — the ranking weighs earnings, ROI, AI resilience, and job market size equally.

Is a Physiology degree worth the investment?

The average 10-year earnings multiple is 11.5x 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.