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Genome Sciences

Types of Degrees Genome Sciences Majors Are Earning

Those studying Genome Sciences may pursue degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Bachelor’s Degree	23
Master’s Degree	150
Doctor’s Degree	26

What Genome Sciences Majors Need to Know

Studies in Genome Sciences build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Genome Sciences graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Genome Sciences emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Biology — Importance 4.5 / 5; level 5.4 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.
• Medicine and Dentistry — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.
• Psychology — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

Skills developed in a Genome Sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Reading Comprehension — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.8 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 4 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Writing — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.
• Complex Problem Solving — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Speaking — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.0 / 7.

Abilities

Abilities most relevant to Genome Sciences careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Written Comprehension — Importance 4.2 / 5; level 4.8 / 7.
• Deductive Reasoning — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Oral Expression — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 5.0 / 7.
• Oral Comprehension — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.9 / 7.
• Written Expression — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.8 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Genome Sciences graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Getting Information	4.6 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.5 / 7
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	4.4 / 7
Documenting/Recording Information	4.4 / 7
Working with Computers	4.3 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.2 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.2 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	4.1 / 7
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	4.1 / 7
Processing Information	4.0 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Genome Sciences professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	✓
Web browser software	Internet browser software	—
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	✓
Microsoft Access	Data base user interface and query software	—
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	✓
Word processing software	Word processing software	—
FileMaker Pro	Data base user interface and query software	—
Database software	Data base user interface and query software	—
Wageningen MapChart	Medical software	—
SynDiag	Medical software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Genome Sciences graduates include:

• Pediatric Genetic Counselor
• Genetics Counselor
• Medical Science Liaison
• Genetic Counseling Medical Specialist
• Cancer Genetic Counselor
• Mitochondrial Disorders Counselor
• Prenatal Genetic Counselor
• Reproductive Genetic Counseling Coordinator
• Genetic Counselor
• Certified Genetic Counselor
• Genetic Coordinator
• Cancer Program Consultant
• Prenatal and Pediatric Genetic Counselor
• Clinical Reviewer
• Chromosomal Disorders Counselor

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Genome Sciences graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share 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%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Genome Sciences?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly female, with women earning 65.3% of Genome Sciences degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	130	65.3%
Men	69	34.7%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Genome Sciences graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	107	53.8%
Asian	35	17.6%
Hispanic or Latino	10	5.0%
Black or African American	15	7.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	3	1.5%
Two or More Races	10	5.0%
Race Unknown	3	1.5%
International Students	16	8.0%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Genome Sciences Graduates Earn?

Federal data tracks median earnings of Genome Sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$43,852
4 years	$57,533
5 years	$73,410

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $73,410 — roughly 67% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Online Genome Sciences Programs

Distance learning is tracked by IPEDS for Genome Sciences. The table below shows how many graduates earned at least some of their coursework online (Distance-Ed Available) versus completing the entire program online (Distance-Ed Only).

Award Level	Distance-Ed Available	Distance-Ed Only
Master’s	2	1

^{Distance-Ed Only = degrees completed entirely online; Distance-Ed Available = degrees including at least some online coursework. Source: IPEDS Completions by Distance Education status.}

Is a Degree in Genome Sciences Worth It?

On the earnings side, the federal earnings tracker, Genome Sciences graduates earn a median of $57,533 four years after completion — roughly 51% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	CIP Code
Genetics	26.08
Animal Genetics	26.0804
Genetics, General	26.0801
Genetics, Other	26.0899
Human/Medical Genetics	26.0806
Microbial and Eukaryotic Genetics	26.0803
Molecular Genetics	26.0802
Plant Genetics	26.0805
Anatomy	26.0403
Animal Physiology	26.0707
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	26.0210
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other	26.0299

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.