by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Human/Medical Genetics explores Human/medical Genetics. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Human Genetics From The Standpoint Of Medical Applications Such As Clinical Diagnosis, Genetic Engineering And Therapy, Transplantation, And The Study Of Genetic Diseases And Disabilities And Their Defense. Includes Instruction In Human Molecular Genetics; Genetic Factors Causing Disease; Changes In Gene Expression During Development, Differentiation, And Pathogenesis; Recombinant Dna; Gene Therapy; Clinical Genetics; Genetic Epidemiology; Immunogenetics; Cytogenetics; And Genetics Of Specific Disorders And Diseases. Read on to learn the essential details every human/medical genetics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering human/medical genetics programs.
In the U.S., human/medical genetics is a widely-pursued major, with 424 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Human/Medical Genetics Schools ranking analyzes these 34 schools to determine the best overall colleges for human/medical genetics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of human/medical genetics programs later in this article.
Studies in Human/Medical Genetics build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations human/medical genetics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a human/medical genetics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a human/medical genetics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several human/medical 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 333 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 91 |
People currently working in careers related to human/medical genetics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 90.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 5.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in human/medical genetics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in human/medical genetics opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to human/medical genetics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to human/medical genetics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic Counselors | 3,289,795 | 13.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of human/medical genetics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 human/medical genetics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers human/medical genetics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Genetic Counselors | $58,726 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 34 different human/medical genetics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased human/medical genetics school rankings to help you.
Those considering human/medical 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 |
| Molecular Genetics | 278 |
| Genome Sciences/Genomics | 199 |
| Animal Genetics | 59 |
| Plant Genetics | 32 |
| Genetics, Other | 11 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
