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Laboratory analyst education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a laboratory analyst. Laboratory analysts usually study biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 79% of laboratory analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 10% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 4,930 real laboratory analyst resumes to see exactly what laboratory analyst education sections show.

The most common colleges for laboratory analysts are the University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus and the University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus.

There are also many online laboratory analyst courses to help get the education required to be a laboratory analyst.

There are certain laboratory analyst certifications that you should consider. These laboratory analyst certifications include Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT(AAB)).

What education do you need to become a laboratory analyst?

What degree do you need to be a laboratory analyst?

The most common degree for laboratory analysts is bachelor's degree, with 79% of laboratory analysts earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 10% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 79%
  • Associate, 10%
  • Master's, 7%
  • High School Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a laboratory analyst?

You should major in biology to become a laboratory analyst. 31% of laboratory analysts major in biology. Other common majors for a laboratory analyst include chemistry and biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology.

Most common colleges for laboratory analysts

Laboratory analysts often get their degrees at University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and University of California, Santa Barbara. Here are the most common colleges for laboratory analysts in the US based on their resumes.
Laboratory analyst common collegePercentages
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus12.97%
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico7.69%
University of California, Santa Barbara6.59%
East Carolina University6.37%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro5.71%

Best majors for laboratory analysts

Best colleges for laboratory analysts

The best colleges for laboratory analysts are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

A laboratory analyst with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for laboratory analysts. 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 laboratory analysts.

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 Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

6. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

20 best online courses for laboratory analysts

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Top 10 most affordable universities for laboratory analysts

The most affordable schools for laboratory analysts are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for laboratory analysts 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 laboratory analysts.

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. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. San Jose State University

San Jose, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,796

Cost of attendance

24,514

9. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

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 laboratory analysts

The hardest universities for laboratory analysts to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for laboratory analysts 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 laboratory analysts 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. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

9. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for laboratory analysts

The easiest schools for laboratory analysts to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a laboratory analyst 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 laboratory analysts.

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. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

5. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

6. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

7. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

10. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

Average laboratory analyst salary by education level

According to our data, laboratory analysts with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $50,492 annually. Laboratory analysts with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $46,141.
Laboratory analyst education levelLaboratory analyst salary
Master's Degree$50,492
High School Diploma or Less$42,882
Bachelor's Degree$44,463
Some College/ Associate Degree$46,141

Laboratory analyst 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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