Best institutions to study Molecular Genetics
A program that focuses on the scientific study of genetic structures and mechanisms of organisms, including bacteria, phages, and viruses.
16 U.S. institutions graduated 253 Molecular Genetics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0802, a specialization of Genetics (CIP 26.08), and leads most directly to the Genetic Counselors occupation (BLS SOC 29-9092).
About Molecular Genetics programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of genetic structures and mechanisms of organisms, including bacteria, phages, and viruses. Includes instruction in the replication, expression, transfer, structure, maintenance, and stability of heritable information in DNA, RNA, and proteins; the regulation of these processes; and neurogenetics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Molecular Genetics program, a subset of Genetics, delves into the scientific study of genetic structures and mechanisms across various organisms, including bacteria, phages, and viruses. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the complexities of heritable information and its regulation, making it ideal for those passionate about biological and biomedical sciences.
Students in the Molecular Genetics program will gain essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific analysis. Coursework typically covers topics such as DNA and RNA replication, protein expression, and neurogenetics, providing a comprehensive foundation in genetics.
Credentials awarded
What Molecular Genetics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree157 graduates / yr · 6 institutions62%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship65 graduates / yr · 10 institutions26%
- Master's degree31 graduates / yr · 6 institutions12%
Graduates over time
Molecular Genetics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 303 |
| 2013 | 274 |
| 2014 | 254 |
| 2015 | 293 |
| 2016 | 285 |
| 2017 | 292 |
| 2018 | 311 |
| 2019 | 305 |
| 2020 | 311 |
| 2021 | 332 |
| 2022 | 277 |
| 2023 | 267 |
| 2024 | 265 |
| 2025 | 253 |
Top 16 institutions for Molecular 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 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 62 | 84% | — | $20,373 |
| 2 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor's | 57 | 81% | — | $26,713 |
| 3 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 57 | 88% | — | $31,800 |
| 4 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 16 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 5 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 13 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 6 | Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 12 | — | — | — |
| 7 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 8 | SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, NYPublicBachelor's | 8 | 50% | — | — |
| 9 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicBachelor's | 3 | 56% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 85% | — | — |
| 11 | Black Hills State University Spearfish, SDPublicMaster's | 3 | 43% | — | — |
| 12 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 68% | — | — |
| 13 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | 89% | $20,914 | — |
| 14 | Oregon Health & Science University Portland, ORPublicDoctoral | 2 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Cedar Crest College Allentown, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 60% | $22,721 | — |
| 16 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
* 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 13 states
Where Molecular Genetics graduates come from. Each state links to all Genetics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 1 | 62 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick62 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 59 | Michigan State University57 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 57 | Ohio State University - Main Campus57 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 16 | Washington University in St Louis16 / yr |
| North Carolina | 2 | 15 | Duke University13 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 12 | Baylor College of Medicine12 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 10 | University of Chicago10 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 8 | SUNY at Fredonia8 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 5 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus3 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 3 | Western Kentucky University3 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 3 | Black Hills State University3 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 2 | Oregon Health & Science University2 / yr |
| California | 1 | 1 | University of Southern California1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-9092, Genetic Counselors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Molecular Genetics program can pursue careers as Genetic Counselors, with a median wage of $98,910. The job outlook for this field is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 9.3% and approximately 300 annual openings, typically requiring a Master's degree for advancement.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0802
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 Molecular 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 - 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 degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or Doctor's degree in Molecular Genetics.
What are common careers for graduates?+
Graduates often become Genetic Counselors, Natural Sciences Managers, or Biological Science Teachers.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with 300 annual openings and a growth rate of 9.3%.
What is the CIP code for Molecular Genetics?+
Molecular Genetics is CIP 26.0802 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Genetics (CIP 26.08). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of genetic structures and mechanisms of organisms, including bacteria, phages, and viruses. Includes instruction in the replication, expression, transfer, structure, maintenance, and stability of heritable information in DNA, RNA, and proteins; the regulation of these processes; and neurogenetics.
How many institutions offer Molecular Genetics programs?+
16 U.S. institutions reported Molecular Genetics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 13 states, awarding 253 credentials in the year. That is 14.1% of all Genetics graduates.
How much do Molecular Genetics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Genetic Counselors occupation, which Molecular 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 $26,713 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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