### SUMMARY

 Going to school for Molecular Biology is not only a valuable choice, but commonly a required first step for undergraduates hoping to enter a career as a molecular chemist, a molecular scientist, or an analytical molecular chemist. In fact, molecular biology is a very rare degree being the 221st most popular major. Last year alone, there were 903 molecular biology diplomas received. In-state tuition for molecular biology at private colleges is, on average, 3.4 times more spendy than their public rivals.

 With only 61 institutions offering molecular biology you may have limited options as to the institutions which will have a degree program for you. If you are hoping to immerse yourself with other molecular biology undergrads, consider looking at universities in Michigan which have more students admitted to molecular biology than any other state. Zooming out, the top region to major in molecular biology is in the Great Lakes region with [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor), [University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire), and [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) best representing the region. Interestingly, our selection for the best conference to study molecular biology is the Big Ten Conference with [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor), [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](/colleges/rutgers-university-new-brunswick), and [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) representing the conference. On that topic, our choice for the best college for molecular biology is [Princeton University](/colleges/princeton-university). You may also want to check out our list of the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges).

 The best school does not have to be the best school for every student. There can be tons of factors to consider when selecting college. Features like campus amenities, transportation services, and food would definitely change your thoughts on where to go to university. At Authority, we've evaluated the pros and cons for you. If, as an example, you are interested in which molecular biology university has the top college campus, the answer is [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](/colleges/rutgers-university-new-brunswick). If, for example, you are very interested in which school is home to the top campus, then we have an entire page [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through student reviews, professor reviews, government databases, and more in order to compare every major in an unbiased and informative way. You can find our well researched list for the schools with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbsphere and, from that list, our choice for the university with the best student life for molecular biology is [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor). Are you curious why? Keep scrolling to learn more about Authority's top recommendations. Many of our picks will probably shock you.

 If expense is a major influence in your decision on where to go to university, you might be cautious about [Colgate University](/colleges/colgate-university). [Colgate University](/colleges/colgate-university)&nbspappears to be our most expensive university for molecular biology, at least regarding out of state students. We have an entire page for the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspuniversities that could put the cost at [Colgate University](/colleges/colgate-university)&nbspinto perspective. Additionally, you may want to know that molecular biology is the 157th most expensive degree in the nation, with an average expense of $33,100. To zoom out a little, the most expensive state for molecular biology in the nation is New York with tuition and fees at the main institution, Colgate University, of $57,695. Even more broadly, the most expensive region of the country for molecular biology is the Far West region which is best demonstrated with [University of California-San Diego](/colleges/university-of-california-san-diego) with a cost of $41,196, and [Pomona College](/colleges/pomona-college) with a cost of $54,380.

 Our cheapest region for molecular biology is the Rocky Mountains region which is represented by [University of Denver](/colleges/university-of-denver) with a cost of $51,336, [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo) with a cost of $5,790, and [University of Wyoming](/colleges/university-of-wyoming) with a cost of $13,392. In better news, the most affordable university for molecular biology is [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo). Authority.org's entire list of the most affordable colleges can be found [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state attendees can anticipate paying around $12,400 for a degree in molecular biology. The price grows significantly to a median of $29,800 for the out-of-state public-school undergraduate. On that note, our choice for the school representing the best value for molecular biology: [Princeton University](/colleges/princeton-university). Through this link you can see our comprehensive list for the universities we believe to be the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspin general. Do know, this discussion is predicated on being an out-of-state student. A discussion of value changes when in-state tuition is considered, but we do not know where you live (and are not trying to collect that kind of data).

 Earnings for molecular biology students vary widely, but within two years completing the major students will often make around $46,800. While there is a lot of variation in earnings; top earners can enjoy pay up to $83,800. Even straight out of college, the minimum earning jobs within the molecular biology field earn $25,900, which could be worse. The top earning graduates from molecular biology have come from [MCPHS University](/colleges/mcphs-university)&nbspand if you want to find the colleges with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), we have that too.

 The overall diversity of molecular biology ranks pretty high, coming in the 84th percentile of majors nationally. The school with the highest composite diversity for molecular biology is [Pomona College](/colleges/pomona-college)&nbspand here you can find our comprehensive list for the colleges with the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The financial diversity of the Molecular Biology major only stands in the 54th percentile of all majors. Racial diversity is greater than financial diversity, ranking in the 74th percentile. White students compose the largest proportion at 54% of those studying molecular biology. Additionally, 58% of undergrads pursuing a molecular biology major are women.

 We have insufficient professors data for molecular biology to make the conclusions we normally would have made in this sentence. If we including data beyond simply rankings it becomes clear that the school possessing the overall best professors for molecular biology is [Princeton University](/colleges/princeton-university). One will find more detail on our ever evolving ranking methodology of the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), along with some of the finest instructors nationwide.

 Finally, the hardest school to get into for molecular biology is [Princeton University](/colleges/princeton-university). While we do not necessarily see the value in it, we do have an extensive page of the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). That being said, we hope you understand that looking at the higher education world from context mainly formed from superlatives might cause problems. We at Authority encourage you to look at some of our more focused pages on individual topics and read a couple of our background articles on useful things to consider as your college search continues.



 ### POPULARITY

 Molecular biology is the 221st most popular degree in America, with 903 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #222 [Asian Studies](/rankings/best-colleges-for-asian-studies), and narrowly lost to #220 [Mathematics and Computer Science](/rankings/best-colleges-for-mathematics-and-computer-science).

 The degree is offered at a total of 61 colleges across the nation, and is the 244th most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 13% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America.

 It is also worth noting that 45% of colleges offering molecular biology are public making it a pretty accessible field.

 The great lakes produces the most molecular biology graduates, largely led by [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor), while it’s the Big Ten Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, Michigan ranks highest, with particular help from [Lawrence Technological University](/colleges/lawrence-technological-university) and [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more molecular biology graduates than [Arkansas State University-Main Campus](/colleges/arkansas-state-university-main-campus), which graduated 155 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study molecular biology). More students studied molecular biology as a percentage of total students at [Goshen College](/colleges/goshen-college) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Molecular biology is the 157th most expensive major in America, with a median cost of $33,128 amongst the top 50 programs (just ahead of #158, [Russian Language and Literature](rankings/best-colleges-for-russian-language-and-literature), with a median cost of $33,092).

 The Far West has the most expensive colleges with top-notch molecular biology programs led by [University of California-San Diego](/colleges/university-of-california-san-diego) with an annual cost of $41,196. New York is the most expensive state for molecular biology led by [Colgate University](/colleges/colgate-university).

 Public schools with good programs generally charge 70.73% less than private schools for in-state students. However, when looking at out-of-state tuition, the median top 50 Public school charges 29.96% less than your average private school. So be sure to take a look at public shools in your state as soon as possible.

 The most high-priced option in the top 25 is [Colgate University](/colleges/colgate-university), which is the 9th most expensive college in America. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus](/colleges/universidad-ana-g-mendez-cupey-campus). It costs just $4,920 per year and is its molecular biology program is ranked #31. If you’re looking for a higher ranked, but still affordable school, [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo)  is probably a good fit for you, ranked #18 with an in-state cost of just $5,790. Another more affordable choice would be #25, [University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire) in Eau Claire County, WI with a cost of $7,361 for in-state students and $15,636 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 Enrolling in college is an important investment for most students. It's important to be assured you get a strong return on that investment. Therefore, we hope the following earnings and career info help you in deciding your focus at college.

 The average Molecular Biology alumni makes a starting income of $34,037 a year (bottom 38%). Later on in their professional lives, they can take in up to $83,810 per annum to as little as $25,873, but average about $46,843. Just so you know, that is 21% higher than average.

 The most popular job title for a Molecular Biology graduate is Service Associate, which usually earn approximately $22,000; next are Research And Development Internship and Clinical Laboratory Scientist, which commonly earn around $24,000 and $49,000 respectively.

 The highest earning region for Molecular Biology graduates is New England. MA has the highest grossing Molecular Biology alumni of any state. The highest grossing conference for Molecular Biology graduates is Colonial Athletic Association.



### STUDENTS

 College often can be a fabulously influential time of one's life; it is a time for individual progress and evolution. Undergrads start to find out what they desire to become and learn the indispensable skills to be a thriving member of society. But learning goes far beyond a classroom - the late nights discussing Duchamp with a schoolmate, the funny story received from an old professor, the exposure to a different position. As such, attending a diverse college greatly enriches what one gains from the time spent at college.

 Molecular Biology is a more racially diverse focus than average\*. 54% of the US' Molecular Biology majors are white students, followed by asian students (17%), latino students (12%), and students of other races\*\*(12%). The most ethnically diverse college\* in the top 100 is [University of California-San Diego](/colleges/university-of-california-san-diego)&nbspin La Jolla, CA.

 Secondly, Molecular Biology significatly skews female, with nearly four sevenths of students majoring in Molecular Biology identifying as women. The most gender balanced school in the top 100 is [University of Vermont](/colleges/university-of-vermont) in Burlington, VT.

 Another substantial type of diversity is economic diversity. Molecular Biology ranks close to the median for socioeconomic diversity (46th percentile). 28% of its majors come from homes making under $30,000 a year, 16% are from households that make between $48,000 and $75,000 a year, and 26% grew up in homes with $110,000 plus annual incomes. [Goshen College](/colleges/goshen-college) has the most economically diverse student body in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall CA is the most diverse state for Molecular Biology. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 17%
* Black: 4%
* Latino: 12%
* White: 54%
* Other: 12%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 42%
* Female: 58%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 28%
* 30k - 48k: 15%
* 48k - 75k: 16%
* 75k - 110k: 15%
* Over 110k: 26%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 61%
* Out of State: 32%
* International: 7%


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2023 Molecular Biology Salary

There are about 2,538 students enrolled in Molecular Biology in the USA.

SALARY