by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Animal Genetics explores Animal Genetics. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Genetics Of Multicellular Animal Life Forms From The Experimental, Comparative, And Clinical (Veterinary And Medical) Viewpoints. Includes Instruction In Molecular Genetics, Gene Expression, Gene Regulation, Genomics, Epigenetic Phenomena, Dna Recombination And Repair, Genetic Interactions At The Microbial And Higher Levels, And Molecular Evolution. Read on to learn the key facts every animal genetics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering animal genetics programs.
In the U.S., animal genetics is a widely-pursued major, with 59 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Animal Genetics Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for animal genetics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of animal genetics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Animal Genetics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations animal genetics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a animal genetics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a animal genetics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several animal genetics degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 42 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
People currently working in careers related to animal genetics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 20.0% |
| Master’s degree | 17.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.9% |
| Some college courses | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in animal genetics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in animal genetics prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to animal genetics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to animal genetics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | 23,620 | 9.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of animal genetics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,852 |
| 4 years | $57,533 |
| 5 years | $73,410 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for animal genetics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers animal genetics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
| Geneticists | $48,526 |
With 2 different animal genetics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased animal genetics school rankings to help you.
Those considering animal genetics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Genetics, General | 730 |
| Human/Medical Genetics | 424 |
| Molecular Genetics | 278 |
| Genome Sciences/Genomics | 199 |
| Plant Genetics | 32 |
| Genetics, Other | 11 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
