Physiology · California

Physiology colleges in California

CampusPin lists 301 U.S. colleges in California that offer Physiology programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Physiology examines how living systems function, from cells to whole organisms, and suits students drawn to homeostasis, organ systems, and a science foundation for health or research paths.

Schools in California that offer Physiology

Physiology programs in California: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 301 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

301

Public / private

21 / 29

Universities / 2-year

39 / 11

Cities represented

41

In-state tuition range

$1,104–$63,255

Median in-state tuition

$12,118

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 Physiology program

  • Cellular and molecular physiology
  • Homeostasis and physiological regulation
  • Systems physiology across organ systems
  • Neurophysiology and vascular physiology
  • Endocrine and hormonal action
  • Reproduction, growth, and development
  • Biochemical and biophysical cell signaling
  • Laboratory measurement and experimental design
  • Comparative and integrative physiology

Where a Physiology degree can lead

  • Laboratory or Research Assistant
  • Physiology or Biology Lab Technician
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Health or Medical Support Roles
  • Medical Scientist (with graduate or professional study)
  • Pre-health pathway to medicine, dentistry, or therapy

Typical pay: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 medical scientists median $100,590).

A Physiology major focuses on the functional dynamics of living systems: how cells, tissues, organs, and whole organisms work, communicate, and maintain balance. Coursework follows the official definition of the field, covering reproduction, growth, hormonal action, vascular and neurophysiology, and systems-level physiology, alongside the biochemical and biophysical signaling that links these processes. Students study morphology and function together, asking not just what a structure is but how it operates and how it stays regulated. This is what sets physiology apart from its neighbors. General biology surveys life broadly, kinesiology centers on human movement and exercise, and neuroscience concentrates on the nervous system, while physiology asks how integrated systems sustain homeostasis across levels of complexity. Expect a foundation in biology, chemistry, and quantitative methods, paired with laboratory work where students measure responses in living systems and connect cellular mechanisms to whole-body function.

The degree is usually a bachelor's of science, often built on introductory biology and chemistry before students move into cellular, systems, and comparative physiology, with labs that train measurement, experimental design, and data interpretation. Be aware of the honest path ahead. Many research and health-professional careers in this area require graduate or professional study rather than a bachelor's alone, since independent scientific roles such as medical scientist typically call for a doctoral or professional degree. Bachelor's graduates frequently begin in laboratory and health-support positions, or use the major as a pre-health foundation for medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, or graduate programs. Common settings include university and hospital research labs, clinical and diagnostic facilities, biotechnology and pharmaceutical employers, and public health and education roles. If a specific credential or license matters to your goals, confirm the requirements for that profession before committing to a single track.

In federal data for the closely related occupation of medical scientists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $100,590 and projects employment to grow about 8.7% from 2024 to 2034; a doctoral or professional 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.

Physiology in other states

Other majors in California

Find more Physiology schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 301+ Physiology programs in California by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

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