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Perfusionist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a perfusionist. Perfusionists usually study medical technician, biology, or nursing. 66% of perfusionists hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 678 real perfusionist resumes to see exactly what perfusionist education sections show.

The most common colleges for perfusionists are the Ohio State University and the Ohio State University.

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

There are certain perfusionist certifications that you should consider. These perfusionist certifications include Certification in Clinical Perfusion (CCP) and Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE).

What education do you need to become a perfusionist?

What degree do you need to be a perfusionist?

The most common degree for perfusionists is bachelor's degree, with 66% of perfusionists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 15% and master's degree degree at 10%.
  • Bachelor's, 66%
  • Master's, 15%
  • Associate, 10%
  • Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a perfusionist?

You should major in medical technician to become a perfusionist. 38% of perfusionists major in medical technician. Other common majors for a perfusionist include biology and nursing.

Most common colleges for perfusionists

Perfusionists often get their degrees at Ohio State University, Barry University, and Rush University. Here are the most common colleges for perfusionists in the US based on their resumes.
Perfusionist common collegePercentages
Ohio State University13.75%
Barry University7.50%
Rush University6.25%
University of Pittsburgh6.25%
Cleveland State University6.25%

Best majors for perfusionists

RankMajorPercentages
1Medical Technician37.9%
2Biology21.3%
3Nursing8.5%
4Business4.7%
5Psychology4.3%

Best colleges for perfusionists

The best colleges for perfusionists are New York University, Emory University, and University of Connecticut.

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

1. University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,730

Enrollment

18,830

2. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo

Arecibo, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,872

Enrollment

3,553

4. Jefferson College of Health Sciences

Roanoke, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$26,886

Enrollment

774

5. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

6. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

7. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

New Brunswick, NJ • Private

In-state tuition

$14,974

Enrollment

35,656

8. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$19,080

Enrollment

19,127

9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

10. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

20 best online courses for perfusionists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for perfusionists

The most affordable schools for perfusionists are Brigham Young University, suny farmingdale, and minot state university.

If the best universities for perfusionists 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 perfusionists.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

4. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

5. Louisiana State University at Alexandria

Alexandria, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,668

Cost of attendance

14,488

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

8. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

9. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$9,233

Cost of attendance

18,110

10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo

Arecibo, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,872

Cost of attendance

13,476

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for perfusionists

The hardest universities for perfusionists to get into are New York University, Emory University, and University of Connecticut.

Some great schools for perfusionists 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 perfusionists 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. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

2. Emory University

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,449

3. University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,318

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

6. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

9. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

New Brunswick, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

60%

SAT average

1,303

10. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,326

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for perfusionists

The easiest schools for perfusionists to get into are AdventHealth University, gwynedd mercy university, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a perfusionist 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 perfusionists.

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. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

4. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

5. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

6. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

7. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

8. Washington Adventist Hospital

Takoma Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

958

9. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

10. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

Average perfusionist salary by education level

According to our data, perfusionists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $187,014 annually. Perfusionists with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $143,597.
Perfusionist education levelPerfusionist salary
Master's Degree$187,014
High School Diploma or Less$100,786
Bachelor's Degree$143,597
Some College/ Associate Degree$119,144

Perfusionist 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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