Best institutions to study Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist
A program that prepares individuals, at the request of physicians, researchers, and laboratory scientists, to identify tissue structures and cell components and relate these findings to physiological functions and to the detection and diagnosis of diseases and other abnormalities.
16 U.S. institutions graduated 98 Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1007, a specialization of Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10), and leads most directly to the Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1071).
About Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist programs
A program that prepares individuals, at the request of physicians, researchers, and laboratory scientists, to identify tissue structures and cell components and relate these findings to physiological functions and to the detection and diagnosis of diseases and other abnormalities. Includes instruction in medical chemistry, histochemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, medical informatics, applied mathematics, electron microscopy, instrumentation, quality control procedures, data recording and analysis, laboratory administration, medical terminology, and professional standards and ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist program is designed to prepare individuals for careers in clinical and medical laboratory science. Students learn to identify tissue structures and cell components, relating their findings to physiological functions and the diagnosis of diseases. This program is ideal for those interested in supporting healthcare professionals through laboratory work and research.
Core coursework includes medical chemistry, histochemistry, anatomy, physiology, and quality control procedures. Students also gain skills in data recording and analysis, medical informatics, and professional standards, equipping them for various roles in the healthcare field.
Credentials awarded
What Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree39 graduates / yr · 8 institutions40%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year29 graduates / yr · 1 institution30%
- Bachelor's degree19 graduates / yr · 4 institutions19%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years7 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.1%
- Master's degree4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.1%
Graduates over time
Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 111 |
| 2013 | 104 |
| 2014 | 80 |
| 2015 | 61 |
| 2016 | 110 |
| 2017 | 139 |
| 2018 | 120 |
| 2019 | 112 |
| 2020 | 141 |
| 2021 | 106 |
| 2022 | 147 |
| 2023 | 132 |
| 2024 | 104 |
| 2025 | 98 |
Top 16 institutions for Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 60% | — | $65,073 |
| 2 | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 12 | — | — | $62,861 |
| 3 | Phoenix College Phoenix, AZPublicAssociate's | 11 | 14% | — | $59,829 |
| 4 | Carolinas College of Health Sciences Charlotte, NCPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 100% | — | $62,885 |
| 5 | Alamance Community College Graham, NCPublicAssociate's | 6 | 39% | — | — |
| 6 | Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DEPublicAssociate's | 5 | 22% | — | — |
| 7 | Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAssociate's | 5 | 19% | — | $58,008 |
| 8 | Vance - Granville Community College Henderson, NCPublicAssociate's | 4 | 53% | — | — |
| 9 | Lakeland Community College Kirtland, OHPublicAssociate's | 4 | 24% | — | $53,080 |
| 10 | Roosevelt University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 35% | $21,085 | — |
| 11 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicBachelor's | 3 | 72% | — | $54,947 |
| 12 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicMaster's | 3 | 67% | — | — |
| 13 | Reading Area Community College Reading, PAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 34% | — | — |
| 14 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 58% | — | $55,992 |
| 15 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 16 | Harcum College Bryn Mawr, PAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 1 | 44% | $27,244 | $54,790 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field (CIP 51.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 12 states
Where Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 1 | 29 | University of North Dakota29 / yr |
| North Carolina | 3 | 17 | Carolinas College of Health Sciences7 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 12 | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center12 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 11 | Phoenix College11 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 5 | Reading Area Community College3 / yr |
| Delaware | 1 | 5 | Delaware Technical Community College - Terry5 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 5 | Community College of Baltimore County5 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 4 | Lakeland Community College4 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 3 | Roosevelt University3 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 3 | University of Mississippi3 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 3 | Rowan University3 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | Oakland University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists or Health Specialties Teachers. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 17.3% and approximately 27,400 annual openings. The median wage for these professions is $105,620, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1007
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists SOC 29-2011 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise laboratory sessions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Tools and technology used
Other Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10).
- Phlebotomy Technician/CIP 51.1009
Phlebotomist 10,645 graduates / yr335 institutions - Clinical Laboratory Science/CIP 51.1005
Medical Technology/ Technologist 4,160 graduates / yr233 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1004
Medical Laboratory Technician 3,375 graduates / yr262 institutions - Sterile Processing Technology/CIP 51.1012
Technician 2,477 graduates / yr105 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1099
Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions 806 graduates / yr35 institutions - Histologic TechnicianCIP 51.1008243 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Blood Bank Technology SpecialistCIP 51.1001227 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Cytotechnology/CIP 51.1002
Cytotechnologist 137 graduates / yr16 institutions - Hematology Technology/CIP 51.1003
Technician partial data84 graduates / yr3 institutions - Renal/CIP 51.1011
Dialysis Technologist/ Technician partial data77 graduates / yr8 institutions - Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/CIP 51.1006
Technician partial data72 graduates / yr3 institutions - Cytogenetics/CIP 51.1010
Genetics/ Clinical Genetics Technology/ Technologist limited data33 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs →
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, a Bachelor's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks of study.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What are the job prospects after graduation?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with significant annual openings in the field.
What subjects will I study?+
You will study subjects like anatomy, physiology, medical chemistry, and laboratory administration.
What is the CIP code for Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist?+
Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist is CIP 51.1007 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals, at the request of physicians, researchers, and laboratory scientists, to identify tissue structures and cell components and relate these findings to physiological functions and to the detection and diagnosis of diseases and other abnormalities. Includes instruction in medical chemistry, histochemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, medical informatics, applied mathematics, electron microscopy, instrumentation, quality control procedures, data recording and analysis, laboratory administration, medical terminology, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist programs?+
16 U.S. institutions reported Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states, awarding 98 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% of all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist most directly leads to, pays a median of $107,310 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field report median earnings of $58,008 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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