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Cytogenetic technologist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a cytogenetic technologist. Cytogenetic technologists usually study biology, clinical/medical laboratory science, or genetics. 85% of cytogenetic technologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 8% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 759 real cytogenetic technologist resumes to see exactly what cytogenetic technologist education sections show.

The most common colleges for cytogenetic technologists are the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut.

There are also many online cytogenetic technologist courses to help get the education required to be a cytogenetic technologist.

There are certain cytogenetic technologist certifications that you should consider. These cytogenetic technologist certifications include Technologist in Cytogenetics (CG) and Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB).

What education do you need to become a cytogenetic technologist?

What degree do you need to be a cytogenetic technologist?

The most common degree for cytogenetic technologists is bachelor's degree, with 85% of cytogenetic technologists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 8% and master's degree degree at 5%.
  • Bachelor's, 85%
  • Master's, 8%
  • Associate, 5%
  • Doctorate, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a cytogenetic technologist?

You should major in biology to become a cytogenetic technologist. 52% of cytogenetic technologists major in biology. Other common majors for a cytogenetic technologist include clinical/medical laboratory science and genetics.

Most common colleges for cytogenetic technologists

Cytogenetic technologists often get their degrees at University of Connecticut, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and North Carolina State University. Here are the most common colleges for cytogenetic technologists in the US based on their resumes.
Cytogenetic technologist common collegePercentages
University of Connecticut20.16%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro9.30%
North Carolina State University7.75%
North Carolina Central University6.98%
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill6.98%

Best majors for cytogenetic technologists

Best colleges for cytogenetic technologists

The best colleges for cytogenetic technologists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

A cytogenetic technologist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for cytogenetic technologists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become cytogenetic technologists.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

5. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Enrollment

31,321

7. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

8. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

9. Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$40,651

Enrollment

3,495

10. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

20 best online courses for cytogenetic technologists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for cytogenetic technologists

The most affordable schools for cytogenetic technologists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for cytogenetic technologists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for cytogenetic technologists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

9. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

10. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for cytogenetic technologists

The hardest universities for cytogenetic technologists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for cytogenetic technologists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for cytogenetic technologists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

8. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

9. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for cytogenetic technologists

The easiest schools for cytogenetic technologists to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a cytogenetic technologist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for cytogenetic technologists.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

7. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

8. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

9. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

10. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

Average cytogenetic technologist salary by education level

Cytogenetic technologists with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $62,789 annually. With a Doctorate degree, cytogenetic technologists earn a median annual income of $61,934 compared to $60,646 for cytogenetic technologists with an Bachelor's degree.
Cytogenetic technologist education levelCytogenetic technologist salary
Master's Degree$62,789
High School Diploma or Less$46,579
Bachelor's Degree$60,646
Doctorate Degree$61,934
Some College/ Associate Degree$53,504

Cytogenetic technologist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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