Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Genetic technologist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a genetic technologist. Genetic technologists usually study biology, biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, or genetics. 72% of genetic technologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 200 real genetic technologist resumes to see exactly what genetic technologist education sections show.
The most common colleges for genetic technologists are the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
There are also many online genetic technologist courses to help get the education required to be a genetic technologist.
What education do you need to become a genetic technologist?
What degree do you need to be a genetic technologist?
- Bachelor's, 72%
- Master's, 21%
- Associate, 4%
- Doctorate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 0%
What should I major in to become a genetic technologist?
Most common colleges for genetic technologists
| Genetic technologist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 16.67% |
| North Carolina State University | 8.33% |
| Purdue University | 8.33% |
| Ohio State University | 6.25% |
| Northern Kentucky University | 6.25% |
Best majors for genetic technologists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology | 41.3% |
| 2 | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 10.9% |
| 3 | Genetics | 6.5% |
| 4 | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 5.1% |
| 5 | Biotechnology | 4.3% |
Best colleges for genetic technologists
The best colleges for genetic technologists are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A genetic 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 genetic 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 genetic technologists.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
4. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
6. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
10. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
In-state tuition
$49,816
Enrollment
6,840
20 best online courses for genetic technologists
Advertising disclosure
1. The Little Stuff: Energy, Cells, and Genetics
In this course, we will explore the smaller side of biology: molecular biology. We’ll cover basic topics including cell biology and how cells can go “rogue” and turn into cancer, how energy from the sun is transferred to fuel our bodies, basics of genetics and inheritance, and genetic technologies. At the end of this course, we will discuss ethical and moral implications of several exciting and new genetic technologies...
2. Mind of the Universe - Genetic Privacy: should we be concerned?
Should all our genetic information be made public in order to eradicate genetic diseases from this world? Who owns your genetic data once it becomes publicly accessible? What is your responsibility to family members when you know more about genetic diseases than they do? Who decides what kind of genetic information is relevant to a person? And what does genetic privacy mean to you? In this challenge with Robert Zwijnenberg (Professor in Art and Science Interactions) you will critically reflect...
3. Machine Learning Optimization Using Genetic Algorithm
Learn how to optimize Machine Learning algorithms' performances and apply feature selection using Genetic Algorithm...
4. Introduction to Genetic Algorithms: Theory and Applications
Learn the main mechanisms of Genetic Algorithm as a heursitic Artificial Intalligence search or optimization in Matlab...
5. Introduction to Genetics and Evolution
Introduction to Genetics and Evolution is a college-level class being offered simultaneously to new students at Duke University. The course gives interested people a very basic overview of some principles behind these very fundamental areas of biology. We often hear about new "genome sequences," commercial kits that can tell you about your ancestry (including pre-human) from your DNA or disease predispositions, debates about the truth of evolution, why animals behave the way they do, and how...
6. Classical papers in molecular genetics
You have all heard about the DNA double helix and genes. Many of you know that mutations occur randomly, that the DNA sequence is read by successive groups of three bases (the codons), that many genes encode enzymes, and that gene expression can be regulated. These concepts were proposed on the basis of astute genetic experiments, as well as often on biochemical results. The original articles were these concepts appeared are however not frequently part of the normal curriculum of biologists,...
7. Genetics and Next Generation Sequencing for Bioinformatics
For software professionals entering Bioinformatics: DNA sequencing data analysis, NGS, & Biology prerequisites...
8. A Beginner's Guide To Machine Learning with Unity
Advanced games AI with genetic algorithms, neural networks & Q-learning in C# and Tensorflow for Unity...
9. CertNexus Certified Ethical Emerging Technologist
The Certified Ethical Emerging Technologist (CEET) industry validated certification helps professionals differentiate themselves from other job candidates by demonstrating their ability to ethically navigate data driven emerging technologies such as AI, Machine Learning and Data Science.\n\nOrganizations and governments are seeking out ethics professionals to minimize risk and guide their decision-making about the design of inclusive, responsible, and trusted technology. An algorithm not...
10. Case Studies in Personalized Medicine
Learn how advances in biomedicine hold the potential to revolutionize drug development, drug treatments, and disease prevention: where are we now, and what does the future hold? This course will present short primers in genetics and mechanisms underlying variability in drug responses. A series of case studies will be used to illustrate principles of how genetics are being brought to bear on refining diagnoses and on personalizing treatment in rare and common diseases. The ethical and...
11. Machine Learning for Data Analysis: Data Profiling & QA
Machine Learning made simple with Excel! Learn data profiling for advanced analysis & business intelligence (no coding!)...
12. Artificial Intelligence I: Meta-Heuristics and Games in Java
Graph Algorithms, Genetic Algorithms, Simulated Annealing, Swarm Intelligence, Minimax, Heuristics and Meta-Heuristics...
13. Big Data Science with the BD2K-LINCS Data Coordination and Integration Center
The Library of Integrative Network-based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) is an NIH Common Fund program. The idea is to perturb different types of human cells with many different types of perturbations such as: drugs and other small molecules; genetic manipulations such as knockdown or overexpression of single genes; manipulation of the extracellular microenvironment conditions, for example, growing cells on different surfaces, and more. These perturbations are applied to various types of human...
14. Manual Software Testing: Complete Course with Practical Labs
Tools: JIRA, Bugzilla, Trello, Postman, 21 types of Testing, 7 principles of testing, QC and QA, ISTQB, Interview QA...
15. Advance Analytics with Excel - data analysis toolpak/ Solver
Advanced data analysis in excel: Data Analysis tools (toolpak add-in) for statistics / solver for linear optimization...
16. Software Testing,QA Testing, Manual Testing,SDLC,Test Plan
Become an expert QA Tester by mastering software testing, manual testing, SDLC, test plan and test case concepts....
17. Job oriented - Practical Software QA Testing
Your foundation to work as QA in IT! High paying QA Tester jobs. Manual Software Testing. Best instructor in U.S...
18. Data Analysis Real world use-cases- Hands on Python
Build a Portfolio of 5 Data Analysis Projects with Python, Seaborn,Pandas,Plotly, numpy etc & get a job of Data Analyst...
19. Business Analysis: Developing Irresistible Business Cases
Building the business acumen you need to promote your projects to management...
20. Introduction to QA Software Testing Professionalism
Learn QA SW Testing concept and decide if Quality Assurance Testing career is for you...
Top 10 most affordable universities for genetic technologists
The most affordable schools for genetic technologists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for genetic 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 genetic 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. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
6. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
7. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
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 - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for genetic technologists
The hardest universities for genetic technologists to get into are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for genetic 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 genetic 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
7. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
8. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
9. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
10. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for genetic technologists
The easiest schools for genetic technologists to get into are Barry University, notre dame de namur university, and d'youville college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a genetic 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 genetic technologists.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
4. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
5. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
6. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
7. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
8. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
9. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
10. Marymount University
Arlington, VA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,065
Average genetic technologist salary by education level
| Genetic technologist education level | Genetic technologist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $62,344 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $44,011 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $59,858 |
| Doctorate Degree | $61,382 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $51,727 |
Genetic technologist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
Search for genetic technologist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025