Genetics, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Genetics, Other.: The DTI for this program is 57.8%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Genetics, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $36722) to the average debt ($21212) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Genetics, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 57.8%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Genetics, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($36722) against the typical student debt ($21212), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Genetics, Other. is a program that attracts motivated students who want to make an impact. Starting pay for new grads is typically $36722, and with an average debt of $21212, the debt-to-income ratio comes in at 0.58—which is about average for college grads.
This program sees about 1703 graduates annually, so you’ll be joining a well-established network. Whether you’re aiming for a high-paying job, a stable career, or a chance to make an impact, Genetics, Other. is a great foundation. Remember, your journey is shaped by the opportunities you pursue—so get involved and stay curious!
Degree Overview
Genetics, Other (CIP 26.0899) is an advanced interdisciplinary category for scientists who study heritability and variation in contexts that fall outside of traditional human, animal, or plant genetics. While a standard genetics major might focus on Mendelian inheritance or clinical diagnostics, professionals in this "Other" category are "Information Architects of Life." They study epigenetics, synthetic genomics, social genomics, and the "dark matter" of the genome. It is a path for "integrative thinkers" who want to explore how genetic code interacts with the environment, technology, and society to shape the future of biological existence.
This field is ideal for "molecular systems analysts"—individuals who are fascinated by how non-coding DNA influences behavior, how stress "leaves a mark" on genes, or how we can write entirely new genetic languages to solve global problems.
What Is an "Other" Genetics Degree?
A degree in this category is a high-level STEM path that emphasizes functional genomics, bioinformatics, and gene-environment interplay. You will study the "Genetic Core"—the mechanics of DNA, RNA, and protein—but your focus will be on novel or emerging applications. Because this code houses niche programs, your studies might focus on Social Genomics (how social environments change gene expression), Astrogenetics (preparing life for radiation in space), or Conservation Genetics (using "Ancient DNA" to resurrect extinct traits). It prepares you to be a "Genetic Strategist" capable of navigating the complex ethics and technology of the genomic revolution.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Synthetic Genomicists" who build artificial DNA sequences to create "clean" bio-factories for fuels and medicines
- Develop experts in Epigenetic Programming, focusing on how lifestyle and environment turn genes "on" or "off" without changing the DNA sequence
- Prepare professionals for Bio-Computational Analysis, using machine learning to find hidden patterns in trillions of base pairs of data
- Study Ethical and Legal Genomics, exploring the implications of DNA privacy, gene editing (CRISPR), and "genetic surveillance"
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that "DNA is not destiny, but a dynamic script"; they focus on the computational logic and environmental feedback loops that control how life expresses itself.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)—running and interpreting the high-speed machines that read entire genomes in hours
- Use "Bioinformatic Pipelines"—coding in Python or R to clean and analyze massive genetic datasets
- Design Gene Expression Assays—measuring which genes are active in a specific tissue at a specific time
- Perform Variant Interpretation—determining if a tiny "typo" in a DNA sequence is harmless or a driver of disease
- Utilize CRISPR-Cas9 Systems—learning the technical and ethical boundaries of "editing" living code
- Understand Population Dynamics—using math to track how genetic traits spread through groups over time
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of molecular biology, high-level statistics, and social science:
- Social and Environmental Genomics: The study of how factors like poverty, diet, or pollution physically alter the "packaging" of your DNA.
- Paleogenomics: Extracting and sequencing DNA from ancient remains to understand the history of life and human migration.
- Nutrigenomics: Exploring how individuals process nutrients differently based on their unique genetic makeup.
- Pharmacogenomics: Designing "personalized prescriptions" that match a patient's genetic ability to process specific drugs.
- Metagenomics: Studying the "mixed DNA" of entire ecosystems, such as all the bacteria living in a single drop of ocean water.
- Quantum Biology in Genetics: Exploring if subatomic particles play a role in DNA mutations or biological signaling.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as lead researchers, data scientists, and policy advisors in the biotech, healthcare, and government sectors.
Common job roles include:
- Genome Data Analyst: Working for tech or biotech firms to translate raw DNA data into actionable health or research insights.
- Precision Medicine Specialist: Helping clinics tailor medical treatments to a patient's specific genetic profile.
- Bioethics Consultant: Advising hospitals, law firms, or governments on the fair and safe use of genetic technology.
- Synthetic Biology Engineer: Designing "designer microbes" that can eat plastic, produce insulin, or capture carbon.
- Forensic DNA Specialist: Using advanced "Genetic Genealogy" to solve cold cases or identify disaster victims.
- Agricultural Genomics Lead: Engineering "climate-proof" crops by identifying and moving specific resilient genes.
Where Can You Work?
These specialists are the "navigators of the biological frontier":
- Advanced Biotech Startups: Working on "Moonshot" projects like gene-based anti-aging or cancer vaccines.
- Consumer Genomics Companies: Working at places like 23andMe or Ancestry to refine ancestry and health reporting.
- National Security and Defense: Working on "biodefense" and the identification of biological threats.
- Environmental and Wildlife Agencies: Using "eDNA" (environmental DNA) to track endangered species in the wild.
- Tech Giants (Google/Microsoft): Helping build the massive cloud infrastructures required to store and analyze the world's genetic data.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because this field requires a rare mix of biology and high-level computer science (Bioinformatics), salaries are among the highest in the life sciences.
- Bioinformatics Scientists: Median annual salary of approximately $100,000–$145,000+.
- Genetic Research Leads (R&D): Salaries typically range from $90,000 to $130,000.
- Medical Science Liaisons: Median annual salary of around $125,000–$165,000.
- Entry-Level Genetic Technicians: Often start between $60,000 and $78,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the conceptual and mathematical scale. You must be able to understand the "micro" (atomic bonding of DNA) and the "macro" (global population statistics) at the same time. It requires a highly logical, data-driven, and "pattern-seeking" mindset—you must be comfortable looking at rows of code and seeing the biological "story" they tell. It is a major that rewards those who are "Biological Futurists" and who find purpose in solving the greatest puzzles of life.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are the person who is fascinated by the idea of "hacking" biology to improve human health
- Love both computers and biology and don't want to choose between them
- Are interested in the "nature vs. nurture" debate and want to find the scientific answer
- Want a career that is at the center of a technological revolution (like the internet was in the 1990s)
- Are deeply curious about how life can adapt to "impossible" environments like space or toxic sites
How to Prepare in High School
- Take AP Biology and AP Statistics; genetics is a science of probability and data
- Take Computer Science; learning to code (Python/R) is as important as learning to use a microscope
- Practice Pattern Recognition—hobbies like chess, coding, or complex strategy games build the necessary mental muscles
- Join a "Bio-Coding" or "Bioinformatics" club to see how software is used to solve biological problems
- Read about "The Human Genome Project" and "The CRISPR Era" to understand the history and future of the field
The ability to apply genomic logic and data mastery to the complexities of a changing biological landscape is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
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