by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Genome Sciences/Genomics involves the study of Genome Sciences/genomics. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Whole Genome Sequences And Patterns Of Gene Expression. Includes Instruction In Molecular And Cellular Biology, Genetics, Protein Technologies, Genomic Sciences And Techniques, Bioinformatics, And Scientific And Research Ethics. Read on to learn the key facts every genome sciences/genomics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering genome sciences/genomics programs.
In the U.S., genome sciences/genomics is a popular field of study, with 199 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Genome Sciences/Genomics Schools ranking analyzes these 20 schools to determine the best overall colleges for genome sciences/genomics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of genome sciences/genomics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Genome Sciences/Genomics develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations genome sciences/genomics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a genome sciences/genomics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a genome sciences/genomics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several genome sciences/genomics 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 | 23 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 150 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 26 |
People currently working in careers related to genome sciences/genomics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 72.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 5.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.3% |
| Some college courses | 1.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in genome sciences/genomics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in genome sciences/genomics can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to genome sciences/genomics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to genome sciences/genomics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic Counselors | 3,289,795 | 13.4% |
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of genome sciences/genomics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 genome sciences/genomics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers genome sciences/genomics 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 |
| Genetic Counselors | $58,726 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
With 20 different genome sciences/genomics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased genome sciences/genomics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in genome sciences/genomics, 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 |
| Animal Genetics | 59 |
| Plant Genetics | 32 |
| Genetics, Other | 11 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
