Best colleges for Genetics in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-Davis, Stanford University and University of California-Irvine award the most Genetics degrees and certificates in California: 93, 27 and 8 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 California colleges offer Genetics and award 199 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Genetics program focuses on the study of DNA structures and expressions, exploring how these variations contribute to differences among organisms. This field is ideal for students interested in biological and biomedical sciences,…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Davis Davis Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,334 | 93 | 86% | — | $14,293 |
Colleges awarding the most Genetics degrees in California
Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Davis Davis Public | 93 | $41,334 |
| 2 | Stanford University Stanford Private not-for-profit | 27 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of California-Irvine Irvine Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 California colleges offering Genetics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California University of Health Sciences (Online) | Whittier | Private not-for-profit | 48 |
| Keck Graduate Institute (Graduate only) | Claremont | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| University of California-San Francisco (Graduate only) | San Francisco | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Genetic Counselors (SOC 29-9092).
Top skills
What Genetic Counselors earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Genetics programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Genetics degrees?+
University of California-Davis (93 graduates a year), Stanford University (27 graduates a year) and University of California-Irvine (8 graduates a year) award the most Genetics degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 California colleges offer Genetics.
Which Genetics program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of California-Davis tops the list at $41,334. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Genetic Counselors earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Genetic Counselors in California is $143,090 (median $137,650), across about 440 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Genetics program?+
The Genetics program focuses on the study of DNA structures and expressions, exploring how these variations contribute to differences among organisms. This field is ideal for students interested in biological and biomedical sciences,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, writing, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Genetic Counselors?+
The national job outlook is about +9.3% growth with around 300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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