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Clinical Diagnostics
What you'll do in college
You will study pathology, molecular diagnostics, and clinical chemistry. The major focuses heavily on using advanced technology and assays to detect diseases. Expect extensive laboratory work using microscopes, mass spectrometers, and genetic sequencing tools.
What you'll do after college
Graduates work in hospital laboratories, private diagnostic labs, and public health facilities as clinical laboratory technologists or diagnostic medical sonographers. The data they generate is vital for doctors to make accurate diagnoses.
Selectivity vs. earnings
By acceptance rate
Acceptance rate · bar = degree-weighted adjusted 5-year earnings
By SAT median
Median SAT · bar = degree-weighted adjusted 5-year earnings
Majors in this category
| Major | Colleges | Degrees ▼ | Male/Female | Intl | 5yr Earn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Diagnostics | 171 | 3,949 | 18% / 82% | 1% | $81,926 |
| Radiologic Technology | 57 | 772 | 19% / 81% | 0% | $80,726 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | 16 | 599 | 24% / 76% | 1% | $64,510 |
| Radiation Therapy | 38 | 496 | 16% / 84% | 1% | $87,805 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonography | 33 | 443 | 6% / 94% | 1% | $86,325 |
| Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer | 8 | 342 | 15% / 85% | 0% | $81,170 |
| Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist | 7 | 224 | 15% / 85% | 1% | $83,112 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technology | 21 | 202 | 29% / 71% | 1% | $82,545 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician | 4 | 152 | 11% / 89% | 0% | $83,290 |
| Respiratory Therapy | 7 | 121 | 21% / 79% | 10% | $86,365 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 3 | 83 | 52% / 48% | 0% | $84,091 |
| Radiologic Science | 2 | 62 | 11% / 89% | 0% | $63,569 |
| Radiologic Sciences | 2 | 55 | 11% / 89% | 0% | $103,102 |
| Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist | 7 | 45 | 27% / 73% | 0% | $83,419 |
| Radiography | 1 | 43 | 16% / 84% | 5% | $149,853 |
| Cardiovascular Technology | 5 | 37 | 27% / 73% | 5% | $55,674 |
| Medical Imaging | 2 | 37 | 8% / 92% | 0% | $97,670 |
| MRI Technology | 4 | 32 | 31% / 69% | 3% | $89,884 |
| Cardiovascular Technology/Technologist | 3 | 31 | 23% / 77% | 0% | $110,268 |
| Medical Sonography | 1 | 28 | 7% / 93% | 0% | $122,438 |
| Health/Medical Physics | 4 | 16 | 38% / 62% | 12% | $61,939 |
| Diagnostic Genetic Sciences | 1 | 16 | 25% / 75% | 6% | $59,213 |
| Diagnostic Ultrasound | 1 | 15 | 7% / 93% | 0% | $97,768 |
| Radiation Protection/Health Physics Technician | 1 | 15 | 20% / 80% | 0% | $102,229 |
| Vision Science/Physiological Optics | 2 | 14 | 21% / 79% | 0% | |
| Diagnostic Imaging | 1 | 10 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $129,066 |
| Neurodiagnostic Technology | 3 | 9 | 11% / 89% | 0% | $79,904 |
| Cardiovascular Sonography | 1 | 9 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $122,438 |
| Radiation Biology/Radiobiology | 1 | 9 | 33% / 67% | 0% | |
| Nuclear Medical Technology | 5 | 7 | 29% / 71% | 29% | $70,062 |
| Medical Radiation Sciences | 1 | 7 | 14% / 86% | 0% | $65,067 |
| Health Professions Preparatory Program | 1 | 6 | 100% / 0% | 0% | |
| Pre-Optometry Studies | 2 | 4 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $83,046 |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions | 1 | 3 | 0% / 100% | 67% | |
| Ophthalmic Technology | 1 | 2 | 0% / 100% | 0% | |
| Electrocardiograph Technology | 4 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging | 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $149,853 |
| Polysomnography | 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $77,020 |