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Pathology assistant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a pathology assistant. Pathology assistants usually study biology, communication disorders sciences, or business. 55% of pathology assistants hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 784 real pathology assistant resumes to see exactly what pathology assistant education sections show.

The most common colleges for pathology assistants are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online pathology assistant courses to help get the education required to be a pathology assistant.

There are certain pathology assistant certifications that you should consider. These pathology assistant certifications include Medical Assistant and Pathology.

What education do you need to become a pathology assistant?

What degree do you need to be a pathology assistant?

The most common degree for pathology assistants is bachelor's degree, with 55% of pathology assistants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 55%
  • Associate, 18%
  • Master's, 8%
  • High School Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 14%

What should I major in to become a pathology assistant?

You should major in biology to become a pathology assistant. 24% of pathology assistants major in biology. Other common majors for a pathology assistant include communication disorders sciences and business.

Most common colleges for pathology assistants

Pathology assistants often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, California State University - San Bernardino, and Michigan State University. Here are the most common colleges for pathology assistants in the US based on their resumes.
Pathology assistant common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix8.33%
California State University - San Bernardino8.33%
Michigan State University6.94%
University of California, Santa Barbara6.94%
University of Arizona6.94%

Best majors for pathology assistants

Best colleges for pathology assistants

The best colleges for pathology assistants are Northwestern University, New York University, and Vanderbilt University.

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

1. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

2. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

3. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

4. University of Vermont

Burlington, VT • Private

In-state tuition

$18,276

Enrollment

10,612

5. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Enrollment

16,205

6. University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,730

Enrollment

18,830

7. University of New Hampshire

Durham, NH • Private

In-state tuition

$18,499

Enrollment

12,668

8. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

10. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Enrollment

31,321

20 best online courses for pathology assistants

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1. Medical Terminology and the Human Body Fundamentals

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In this Introduction to Medical Terminology and the Human Body course, you will learn about the medical language that is used to describe the human body. Throughout each Lesson, the roots of terms are explained to help students understand how medical terminology works in healthcare and to increase their knowledge and understanding of the material discussed. This course will provide you with a better understanding and working knowledge of medicine that is required for understanding of medical...

2. Introduction to Dental Medicine

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The mouth is the window into human health. This course provides an overview of dental medicine to engage, educate, excite and assist you in improving the oral health of your patients and members of your community. We will review topics in dental medicine including scope of the field, what to expect in function, and some of the many ways that dysfunction may present for different patients. This will include discussions of mouth, jaw, and tooth anatomy, pathology, and treatment. We will talk...

3. Medical Terminology

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Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...

4. Speak Medical Spanish to Your Patients and Clients

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Spanish essentials for healthcare; program teaches correct pronunciation, pain management and medication, among others...

5. Introduction to Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

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Otorhinolaryngology is a surgical subspecialty that specializes in management and treatment of conditions relating to the head and neck. Developed at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and led by top-ranked otorhinolaryngology faculty and experts, this specialization on ear, nose and throat disorders focuses on the basics of the anatomy and pathophysiology of these regions.\n\nThis specialization starts with an outline of what patients and professionals need to know about voice disorders...

6. Visualizing the Living Body: Diagnostic Imaging

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This course teaches learners the underlying principles behind conventional radiography, computerized axial tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. The radiology of chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, spine and brain are taught in this course using a combination of lectures and extensive practical activities and assessments. By the end of the course you will be able to: Describe the principles of conventional radiography, CT MRI and ultrasound Describe systematic...

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Top 10 most affordable universities for pathology assistants

The most affordable schools for pathology assistants are Hunter College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and university of florida.

If the best universities for pathology assistants 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 pathology assistants.

1. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

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. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

10. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for pathology assistants

The hardest universities for pathology assistants to get into are Northwestern University, New York University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for pathology assistants 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 pathology assistants 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

3. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

10. Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,443

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for pathology assistants

The easiest schools for pathology assistants to get into are AdventHealth University, gwynedd mercy university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a pathology assistant 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 pathology assistants.

1. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

2. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

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. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

Average pathology assistant salary by education level

Pathology assistants with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $61,631 annually. With a Doctorate degree, pathology assistants earn a median annual income of $59,839 compared to $57,191 for pathology assistants with an Bachelor's degree.
Pathology assistant education levelPathology assistant salary
Master's Degree$61,631
High School Diploma or Less$32,405
Bachelor's Degree$57,191
Doctorate Degree$59,839
Some College/ Associate Degree$43,671

Pathology assistant 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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