Best institutions to study Genetics
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the organization, recombination, function, regulation, and transmission of heritable information in biological organisms at all levels of complexity.
38 U.S. institutions graduated 766 Genetics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0801, a specialization of Genetics (CIP 26.08), and leads most directly to the Genetic Counselors occupation (BLS SOC 29-9092).
About Genetics programs
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the organization, recombination, function, regulation, and transmission of heritable information in biological organisms at all levels of complexity. Includes instruction in Mendelian genetics, mechanisms of gene regulation, chromosome structure and replication, epigenetic phenomena, DNA repair and recombination, sex determination, genetic interactions between genomes, and molecular evolution.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Genetics program provides a comprehensive understanding of the scientific study of heritable information in biological organisms. It is designed for students interested in exploring the complexities of genetics, including gene regulation, chromosome structure, and molecular evolution. This program is ideal for those seeking to pursue careers in biological and biomedical sciences.
Students will gain core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific analysis. Coursework typically covers topics such as Mendelian genetics, DNA repair, and epigenetic phenomena, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary for various roles in genetics and related fields.
Credentials awarded
What Genetics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree501 graduates / yr · 14 institutions65%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship174 graduates / yr · 27 institutions23%
- Master's degree85 graduates / yr · 19 institutions11%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Genetics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 466 |
| 2013 | 451 |
| 2014 | 473 |
| 2015 | 527 |
| 2016 | 506 |
| 2017 | 578 |
| 2018 | 555 |
| 2019 | 527 |
| 2020 | 553 |
| 2021 | 629 |
| 2022 | 695 |
| 2023 | 673 |
| 2024 | 698 |
| 2025 | 766 |
Top 38 institutions for Genetics, 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 Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 123 | 90% | — | $38,388 |
| 2 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 93 | 86% | — | $41,334 |
| 3 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 80 | 90% | — | $19,112 |
| 4 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 48 | 84% | — | $31,519 |
| 5 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 44 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 6 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicBachelor's | 43 | 64% | — | — |
| 7 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 40 | 75% | — | $33,330 |
| 8 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 39 | 85% | — | — |
| 9 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 31 | 83% | — | $39,052 |
| 10 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 22 | 82% | — | — |
| 11 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 76% | — | $51,693 |
| 12 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 60% | — | — |
| 13 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sMaster's | 18 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 14 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicDoctoralMaster's | 16 | 91% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 16 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 12 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 17 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | — | — | — |
| 18 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor's | 10 | 55% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 91% | — | — |
| 20 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicDoctoral | 9 | 76% | — | — |
| 21 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 8 | 87% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 68% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicDoctoral | 6 | 75% | — | — |
| 24 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 96% | $14,689 | — |
| 25 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 26 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicDoctoral | 5 | 81% | — | $26,713 |
| 27 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 28 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicMaster's | 4 | 83% | — | — |
| 29 | Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 59% | $18,325 | — |
| 30 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicDoctoral | 4 | — | — | — |
| 31 | Southern California University of Health Sciences Whittier, CAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 2 | 50% | $45,633 | — |
| 32 | Howard University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | 70% | $48,194 | — |
| 33 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 71% | — | — |
| 34 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 35 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 36 | University of California - San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicDoctoral | 1 | — | — | — |
| 37 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicDoctoral | 1 | 75% | — | — |
| 38 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicMaster's | 1 | 65% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Genetics field (CIP 26.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 23 states
Where Genetics graduates come from. Each state links to all Genetics programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-9092, Genetic Counselors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Genetics program can pursue careers as Genetic Counselors, Biological Technicians, and Biological Science Teachers, among others. The job outlook for genetic counselors is particularly strong, with a projected growth of 9.3% and approximately 300 annual openings, offering a median wage of $98,910, typically requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0801
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Genetic Counselorsprimary SOC 29-9092 | $100,040 | +9.3% Much faster than average | ~300 | Master's degree |
Biological Technicians SOC 19-4021 | $57,510 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
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 Genetics 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
- Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
- Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
- Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
- Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
- Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
Tools and technology used
Other Genetics specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Genetics (CIP 26.08).
- Human/CIP 26.0806
Medical Genetics 477 graduates / yr40 institutions - Molecular GeneticsCIP 26.0802253 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Genome Sciences/CIP 26.0807
Genomics 210 graduates / yr20 institutions - Animal GeneticsCIP 26.0804limited data57 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Plant GeneticsCIP 26.0805partial data27 graduates / yr3 institutions
- GeneticsCIP 26.0899limited data8 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Microbial and Eukaryotic Genetics26.0803
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or Doctor's degree in Genetics.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and scientific analysis.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Genetic Counselor, Biological Technician, or Biological Science Teacher.
What is the job outlook for genetics professionals?+
The job outlook for genetic counselors is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 9.3%.
What is the CIP code for Genetics?+
Genetics is CIP 26.0801 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Genetics (CIP 26.08). NCES defines it as: A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the organization, recombination, function, regulation, and transmission of heritable information in biological organisms at all levels of complexity. Includes instruction in Mendelian genetics, mechanisms of gene regulation, chromosome structure and replication, epigenetic phenomena, DNA repair and recombination, sex determination, genetic interactions between genomes, and molecular evolution.
How many institutions offer Genetics programs?+
38 U.S. institutions reported Genetics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 23 states, awarding 766 credentials in the year. That is 42.6% of all Genetics graduates.
How much do Genetics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Genetic Counselors occupation, which Genetics most directly leads to, pays a median of $100,040 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Genetics field report median earnings of $38,388 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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