Best institutions to study Genetics
Any instructional program in genetics not listed above.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 8 Genetics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0899, a specialization of Genetics (CIP 26.08), and leads most directly to the Genetic Counselors occupation (BLS SOC 29-9092).
About Genetics programs
Any instructional program in genetics not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Genetics program focuses on the study of heredity and variation in living organisms. It is designed for students interested in understanding genetic principles and their applications in various fields, including medicine and research. This program is suitable for those who aspire to contribute to advancements in genetic counseling, research, and education.
Students in this program will develop essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific analysis. Coursework typically covers topics in biology, psychology, and medical sciences, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to interpret genetic information and communicate findings effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Genetics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship8 graduates / yr · 1 institution100%
Graduates over time
Genetics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 8 |
Top 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicDoctoral | 8 | 85% | — |
Offered in 1 states
Where Genetics graduates come from. Each state links to all Genetics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1 | 8 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus8 / yr |
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, with a much faster than average job growth of 9.3%. There are approximately 300 annual openings in this field, and the median wage for genetic counselors is $98,910. A master's degree is typically required for these positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0899
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 |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | 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).
- GeneticsCIP 26.0801766 graduates / yr38 institutions
- 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
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 do I earn in this program?+
You will earn a Doctor's degree in Genetics.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Genetic Counselor, Natural Sciences Manager, or Biological Science Teacher, among others.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for genetic counselors?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an estimated 300 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Genetics?+
Genetics is CIP 26.0899 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Genetics (CIP 26.08). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in genetics not listed above.
How many institutions offer Genetics programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported Genetics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 8 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% 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).
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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