### SUMMARY

 Choosing to study Genetics is not only a valuable choice, but frequently a necessary first step for undergrads intending to enter a career as a geneticist, a cytogenetic technologist, or a clinical geneticist. Interestingly, genetics is an uncommon degree coming in at the 250th most popular degree. In the last year, there were 666 genetics diplomas received. In-state tuition for genetics at private colleges is, on average, 3.7 times more spendy than their public equivalents.

 With just 26 colleges having programs for genetics you could have limited options as to the institutions that will have an option for you. If you are hoping to surround yourself with other genetics students, consider looking at schools in Wisconsin which have the most undergrads admitted to genetics annually. More generally, the best region to get a degree in genetics is in the Great Lakes region with [Michigan State University](/colleges/michigan-state-university), [Ohio State University-Main Campus](/colleges/ohio-state-university-main-campus), and [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) best representing the region. Interestingly, our pick of the best conference to study genetics is the Big Ten Conference with [Michigan State University](/colleges/michigan-state-university), [Ohio State University-Main Campus](/colleges/ohio-state-university-main-campus), and [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) representing the conference. From our comprehensive list on the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges), our choice for the best school for genetics is [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis).

 The objectively 'best' school does not mean it is the 'best' school for every student. There might be lots of perspectives to weigh when deciding on school. External stuff such as campus amenities, transportation services, and food would definitely modify your decision on where to go to college. At authority.org, we've weighed the pros and cons for you. If, for example, you want to know which genetics college is home to the top college campus, the answer is [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](/colleges/rutgers-university-new-brunswick). If, for example, you are mostly interested in which school is home to the top campus, we have an entire page [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through student reviews, professor reviews, government databases, and more so we can compare every major in an unbiased and informative way. Here you can explore our well researched list for the colleges with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbspand from that list, our choice of the college with the best student life for genetics is [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison). Are you curious why? Continue reading to find out more about Authority's top choices. Some of our decisions just might surprise you.

 If price is a significant deciding factor in your decisions, you might be cautious about [Ohio Wesleyan University](/colleges/ohio-wesleyan-university). [Ohio Wesleyan University](/colleges/ohio-wesleyan-university)&nbspis our most expensive school for genetics, at least regarding out of state attendance. That being said, we have an entire list of the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspuniversities that might put the expense of [Ohio Wesleyan University](/colleges/ohio-wesleyan-university)&nbspinto perspective. You may also care to know that genetics is the 185th most expensive program in the nation, with an average bill of $31,200. To zoom out a little, the most costly state for genetics in the country is California with tuition and fees at the primary two colleges University of California-Davis and University of California-Irvine of $41,196 and $41,196 respectively. To zoom out even further, the most expensive region of the country for genetics is the Great Lakes region which is best demonstrated with [Michigan State University](/colleges/michigan-state-university) with a cost of $40,384, [Ohio Wesleyan University](/colleges/ohio-wesleyan-university) with a cost of $46,870, and [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) with a cost of $36,333.

 Our cheapest region for genetics is the Mid East region which is represented by [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](/colleges/rutgers-university-new-brunswick) with a cost of $29,012 and [SUNY at Fredonia](/colleges/suny-at-fredonia) with a cost of $16,980. More optimistically, the most affordable school for genetics is [SUNY at Fredonia](/colleges/suny-at-fredonia). Authority's comprehensive list of the most affordable schools can be found [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state learners can anticipate paying about $12,000 for a degree in genetics. The cost grows significantly to an average of $32,000 for an out-of-state public-school student. Our choice for the college with the best value for genetics: [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis). On this page you will see our comprehensive list for the schools we believe to be the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspin general. That being said, this discussion is based on out-of-state tuition costs. The value proposition changes when in-state tuition is considered, as such, we are using out-of-state tuition as the baseline.

 Earnings for genetics students vary widely, but two years after finishing the degree students will regularly make around $57,000. While there is a lot of variation in earnings; top positions can rake in up to $96,700. Even straight out of school, the minimum earning opportunities within the genetics space earn $34,000, which could be worse. The highest earning graduates from genetics attended [Texas A & M University-College Station](/colleges/texas-a-m-university-college-station)&nbspand if you want to find the colleges with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), Authority has that too.

 The general diversity of genetics sits subpar, arriving in the 45th percentile of all programs. The university with the highest composite diversity for genetics is [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis)&nbspand here you can find our comprehensive list for the universities with the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The financial diversity of the Genetics major ranks only in the 76th percentile compared to all other majors. Racial diversity is even further below average in the 41st percentile. White undergraduates make up the largest share at 65% of students majoring in genetics. Additionally, 63% of undergrads pursuing a genetics degree are women.

 The median score of genetics professors is 3.6 stars, a rating which is 10% lower than the average for every major; which is a subpar ranking. If you are interested in the most popular genetics instructor nationally, take a look at Ron Michaelis at [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](/colleges/rutgers-university-new-brunswick). This might be surprising, but the top ranked professors for genetics according to students come from [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](/colleges/rutgers-university-new-brunswick). As we including data beyond just rankings it becomes clear that the college possessing the overall best professors for genetics is [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis). One will find an explanation of our evolving ranking methodology for the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), as well as some of the best examples of instructors in the U.S.

 Finally, the hardest university to get into for genetics is [University of California-Irvine](/colleges/university-of-california-irvine). While we are unsure why you would be interested, we have an extensive page of the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). That being said, here at Authority we hope you believe that considering the education process with a perspective primarily built on superlatives might cause problems. We at Authority encourage you to explore our other pages on individual topics and explore a couple of our helpful background articles on beneficial details to look out for as you continue your college search.



 ### POPULARITY

 Genetics is the 250th most popular degree in America, with 666 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #251 [Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology](/rankings/best-colleges-for-atmospheric-sciences-and-meteorology), and narrowly lost to #249 [Applied Physics](/rankings/best-colleges-for-applied-physics).

 The degree is offered at a total of 26 colleges across the nation, and is the 357th most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 2% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America.

 It is also worth noting that close to 3 out of every 5 colleges offering genetics are public making it a pretty accessible field.

 The great lakes produces the most genetics graduates, largely led by [Michigan State University](/colleges/michigan-state-university), while it’s the Big Ten Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, Wisconsin ranks highest, with particular help from [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) and [University of Arizona](/colleges/university-of-arizona), which graduated 88 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study genetics). More students studied genetics as a percentage of total students at [Ohio Wesleyan University](/colleges/ohio-wesleyan-university) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Genetics is the 185th most expensive degree in the nation, with a median cost of $31,174 for the top 50 programs.

 The Great Lakes have the most expensive colleges with top 50 genetics programs led by [Michigan State University](/colleges/michigan-state-university) with an annual cost of $39,766. California is the most expensive state for genetics led by [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis) and [University of California-Irvine](/colleges/university-of-california-irvine).

 Public schools with solid programs typically charge 72.7% less than private schools for in-state students. However, when looking at out-of-state tuition, the median top 50 Public school charges 26.88% less than the median private school. So, if you're trying to find a state school, make sure you qualify for in-state tuition ASAP.

 The most high-priced option in the top 25 is [Ohio Wesleyan University](/colleges/ohio-wesleyan-university), which is the 166th most expensive college in the US. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [SUNY at Fredonia](/colleges/suny-at-fredonia). It costs just $16,980 per year, and it is ranked 18th for its genetics program. Another more affordable pick would be #15, [University of Alabama at Birmingham](/colleges/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham) in Jefferson County, AL with a cost of $8,568 for in-state students and $20,400 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 Paying for college is a serious investment for most. It is important to ensure you enlarge your future earning potential. Therefore, we hope the following job placement and earnings facts help you in deciding your focus at college.

 The average Genetics major draws a first year salary of $42,044 per annum (top 36%). Further into their careers, they ordinarily earn somewhere between $34,015 and $96,689, but average about $56,966. Just so you know, that is 47% above the nation wide average.

 The most common job for a Genetics graduate is Analyst, which ordinarily earn close to $54,000; next are Consultant and Clinical Laboratory Scientist, which generally earn roughly $56,000 and $49,000 respectively.

 The Far West has the highest earning Genetics graduates. WI has the highest grossing Genetics alumni of any state. The highest grossing conference for Genetics graduates is Big West Conference.



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for Genetics: Median Professor Rating: 3.6 / 5, which is below average.

 Professors continually have a humongous influence your college experience, no matter what you study. An effective instructor may provide inspiration and set you up for future success. Contrarily, an unpleasant professor can disenchant you from a subject or even worse... flunk you!

 Genetics professors, sadly, only have a median student rating of 3.6 out of 5, putting these professors in the lower 7% in the nation grounded in overall professor effectivness. For context that's 10% lower than the national median professor rating for all subjects. Genetics professors just edged-out those from ["Industrial Engineering"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-industrial-engineering), whereas ["Operations Management and Supervision"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-operations-management-and-supervision)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above Genetics.

 Now for some statistics about Genetics professors. Colleges located in distant towns tend to have the best Genetics professors. The University Athletic Association has the highest rated Genetics professors. The Great Lakes region has the highest rated Genetics professors. Private institutions tend to have higher rated Genetics professors than public schools. Finally, Indiana has the highest rated Genetics professors in the nation.

 Ron Michaelis, instructor at [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](/colleges/rutgers-university-new-brunswick)&nbspin New Brunswick, NJ is the most popular Genetics professor in the US. Erika Lutter, professor at [Oklahoma State University-Main Campus](/colleges/oklahoma-state-university-main-campus)&nbspin Stillwater, OK is the highest rated Genetics professor in the nation, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 See which universities have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College is an exceedingly formative investment in one's life; it's an opportunity for personal growth and development. Pupils start to find out who they can be and learn the necessary skills to be a halcyon adult. But growth also happens outside a classroom - the late nights discussing Duchamp with a classmate, the nugget of wisdom gained from an eccentric professor, the exposure to a different background. As such, attending a diverse college greatly enriches what one gains from the time in college.

 Genetics is a less ethnically diverse major than average\*. 65% of the nation's Genetics majors are white students, followed by asian students (13%), students of other races\*\*(11%), and latino students (10%). The most racially diverse college\* in the top 100 is [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis)&nbspin Davis, CA.

 Additionally, Genetics significatly skews female, with virtually 62.5% of students majoring in Genetics identifying as women. The most gender balanced school in the top 100 is [Washington State University](/colleges/washington-state-university) in Pullman, WA.

 Another significant type of diversity is financial diversity. Genetics is more socioeconomically diverse than 76% of majors. 28% of its majors come from very high income families, 16% are from families earning between $48,000 and $75,000 a year, and 24% grew up in homes with a sub $30,000 annual income. [SUNY at Fredonia](/colleges/suny-at-fredonia) is the most fiscally diverse school in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall CA is the most diverse state for Genetics. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the Big West Conference is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 13%
* Black: 1%
* Latino: 10%
* White: 65%
* Other: 11%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 37%
* Female: 63%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 24%
* 30k - 48k: 15%
* 48k - 75k: 16%
* 75k - 110k: 16%
* Over 110k: 28%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 73%
* Out of State: 20%
* International: 7%


2023 Genetics Cost

There are about 2,096 students enrolled in Genetics in the USA.

COST