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Cytotechnologist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a cytotechnologist. Cytotechnologists usually study clinical/medical laboratory science, biology, or health sciences and services. 72% of cytotechnologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 9% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,529 real cytotechnologist resumes to see exactly what cytotechnologist education sections show.
The most common colleges for cytotechnologists are the Thomas Jefferson University and the Thomas Jefferson University.
There are also many online cytotechnologist courses to help get the education required to be a cytotechnologist.
There are certain cytotechnologist certifications that you should consider. These cytotechnologist certifications include Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) and Certified Cytotechnologist (CT(IAC)).
What education do you need to become a cytotechnologist?
What degree do you need to be a cytotechnologist?
- Bachelor's, 72%
- Master's, 9%
- Associate, 9%
- Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 9%
What should I major in to become a cytotechnologist?
- Biology, 34%
- Other Majors, 23%
Most common colleges for cytotechnologists
| Cytotechnologist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson University | 11.41% |
| Old Dominion University | 10.07% |
| University of Rhode Island | 10.07% |
| Albany College of Pharmacy | 5.37% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | 5.37% |
Best majors for cytotechnologists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 34.8% |
| 2 | Biology | 34.3% |
| 3 | Health Sciences And Services | 5.2% |
| 4 | Medical Technician | 3.4% |
| 5 | Liberal Arts | 2.4% |
Best colleges for cytotechnologists
The best colleges for cytotechnologists are Purdue University, Boston University, and Saint Louis University.
A cytotechnologist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for cytotechnologists. 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 cytotechnologists.
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
2. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
3. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Enrollment
30,360
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
5. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
6. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Enrollment
16,205
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
9. University of California - Davis
Davis, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,402
Enrollment
30,698
10. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$15,730
Enrollment
18,830
20 best online courses for cytotechnologists
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Top 10 most affordable universities for cytotechnologists
The most affordable schools for cytotechnologists are SUNY Farmingdale, brigham young university, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for cytotechnologists 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 cytotechnologists.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,872
Cost of attendance
13,476
7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
8. Augusta University
Augusta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$8,604
Cost of attendance
20,618
9. Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,645
Cost of attendance
20,098
10. Louisiana State University at Alexandria
Alexandria, LA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,668
Cost of attendance
14,488
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for cytotechnologists
The hardest universities for cytotechnologists to get into are Purdue University, Boston University, and Saint Louis University.
Some great schools for cytotechnologists 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 cytotechnologists 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. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
3. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,304
4. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
59%
SAT average
1,367
5. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,326
6. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
56%
SAT average
1,250
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
Admissions rate
64%
SAT average
1,324
8. Albany College of Pharmacy
Albany, NY • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,228
9. Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
1,261
10. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
60%
SAT average
1,303
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for cytotechnologists
The easiest schools for cytotechnologists to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, thomas more university, and kean university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a cytotechnologist 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 cytotechnologists.
1. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
2. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
3. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
4. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
5. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,148
6. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
7. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden
Camden, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,086
8. Augusta University
Augusta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
80%
SAT average
1,172
9. Saint Peter's University
Jersey City, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
74%
SAT average
1,032
10. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
Average cytotechnologist salary by education level
| Cytotechnologist education level | Cytotechnologist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $66,215 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $36,586 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $61,978 |
| Doctorate Degree | $64,036 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $48,251 |
Cytotechnologist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025