Molecular Biology · California

Molecular Biology colleges in California

CampusPin lists 263 U.S. colleges in California that offer Molecular Biology programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Molecular Biology examines how DNA, RNA, and proteins are built, read, and regulated, and how these macromolecules drive the machinery inside living cells.

Schools in California that offer Molecular Biology

Molecular Biology programs in California: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 263 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

263

Public / private

26 / 24

Universities / 2-year

44 / 6

Cities represented

39

In-state tuition range

$1,104–$63,255

Median in-state tuition

$7,989

Lowest published in-state tuition

Barstow Community College

$1,104

Most selective

California Institute of Technology

3% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

California State University-Fullerton

41,793 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Molecular Biology program

  • Structure and function of DNA, RNA, and proteins
  • Gene expression, transcription, translation, and how it is regulated
  • Recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques
  • Molecular signaling and signal transduction pathways
  • Enzyme substrates and the mechanisms of enzyme action
  • DNA-protein interactions and the regulation of cell growth
  • Core laboratory methods such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and sequencing
  • Cell biology and physiology at the molecular level
  • Applications across biotechnology and genetics

Where a Molecular Biology degree can lead

  • Molecular Biology Research Technician
  • Biotechnology Laboratory Associate
  • Pharmaceutical Research Assistant
  • Genetics or Diagnostics Laboratory Technician
  • Quality Control Analyst
  • Research Scientist (with graduate study)

Typical pay: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 biological scientists median $93,330).

Molecular Biology is the study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules and the part their molecular constituents play within the supramolecular assemblies and cells they help build. Coursework centers on the central players of the cell, DNA, RNA, and proteins, asking how genetic information is stored, copied, transcribed, and translated, and how its expression is switched on and off. Students examine molecular signaling and transduction, the regulation of cell growth, and the substrates and mechanisms that govern how enzymes catalyze reactions. The major sits close to several relatives but keeps a distinct focus. Where biochemistry foregrounds the chemistry of life and microbiology concentrates on microbes, molecular biology trains its attention on the macromolecules and the molecular machinery operating inside cells, complementing genetics by explaining the molecular events that carry heredity into action rather than tracing inheritance across generations.

Most students enter through a bachelor of science, building from general biology and chemistry into upper-division courses on gene expression, recombinant DNA, and cell signaling. The program is heavily hands-on, with laboratory and often independent project work where students manipulate nucleic acids, study DNA-protein interactions, and probe enzyme action at the bench. These methods connect directly to applied fields named in the discipline itself, including biotechnology, genetics, cell biology, and physiology, and graduates work in research laboratories, biotech and pharmaceutical settings, and quality and diagnostics roles. A bachelor's degree supports many laboratory and technical positions, but it is worth being honest that designing and leading independent research usually calls for graduate study at the master's or doctoral level. Where a credential, certification, or accreditation matters for a specific role, verify the current requirements with the program and your state.

In federal data for the closely related occupation of biological scientists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $93,330 and projects employment to grow about 1.2% from 2024 to 2034; a bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for that occupation. National figures are occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages or graduate outcomes.

Molecular Biology in other states

Other majors in California

Find more Molecular Biology schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 263+ Molecular Biology programs in California by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

Search Molecular Biology schools in CaliforniaAbout the Molecular Biology majorAll colleges in California

Related majors in California