Organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye can either aid human life, or cause devastating diseases. If you would like to study cells, organisms and bacteria that hold the secret of life, consider majoring in Microbiological Sciences & Immunology.
In this major you will study organisms like protozoa, fungi, algae, viruses, and bacteria. Many of your studies will be around how to control, cure, and eliminate infectious diseases. The study of microorganisms also allows one to learn how to remove spilled toxic waste or improve medical cures.
Some classes you will take will be: physiology, biology, genetics, pathogenicity, ecology, advanced mathematics, taxonomy, microbiology, chemistry, and physics.
Students have the choice to study General Microbiology, or they can choose concentrations in Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, Mycology, or Immunology.
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Microbiological Sciences & Immunology Degrees in the United States
#134Most Popular Major
4.8kDegrees Awarded
239Schools Offering Degrees
In 2021-2022, microbiological sciences & immunology was the 134th most popular major nationwide with 4,834 degrees awarded.
This year's Best Microbiological Sciences & Immunology Schools ranking compares 94 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom microbiology rankings further below.
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Requirements for Getting a Degree in Microbiological Sciences & Immunology
Curiosity about all forms of life will aid you in this major. You will be studying about microbial life including its structure and behavior. Good communication skills will help you write lab reports and research papers. You will also need to work closely with your professors and your peers; it is important to be able to listen to their advice and explain your own thoughts and ideas clearly. Teamwork will also be part of this major; you should be ready to pull your own weight as well as step up to a leadership position when needed.
You will learn critical thinking skills throughout your undergraduate degree. Biological theories and practical knowledge will help you think critically and analytically. You should be ready to solve difficult problems using advanced science and math. Working with and operating scientific equipment will be a requirement for this major.
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Prior Education for a Microbiology Program
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most microbiology degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional microbiology certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Types of Microbiological Sciences & Immunology Degrees
There are various different levels of microbiology degrees. Microbiological Sciences & Immunology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest microbiology degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a microbiology degree varies depending on the program.
Degree
Credit Requirements
Typical Program Length
Associate Degree
60-70 credits
2 years
Bachelor’s Degree
120 credits
4 years
Master’s Degree
50-70 credits
1-3 years
Doctorate
Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation
At least 4 years
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to microbiology, with approximately 33.7% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for microbiology workers below.
Level of Education
Percentage of Workers
Bachelor’s Degree
32.1%
Post-Doctoral Training
20.6%
Doctoral Degree
19.6%
Master’s Degree
18.4%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
3.7%
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About 57.1% of workers in careers related to microbiology obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in microbiological sciences & immunology have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the microbiology career you are seeking.
Microbiology Careers
AverageNumber of Jobs
$37.8kAverage Starting Salary
12% GrowthJob Outlook 2016-26
Many graduates end up pursuing graduate work in various biological studies. However, you can go right into a career in the field as well. Microbiological Science & Immunology is necessary when researching better medical care, disease prevention, microbiological systems, or pollution control. You will be prepared to work in research laboratories, industries like pharmaceutical or medical device manufactures, technical sales, or even teaching.
Solid Growth Projected for Microbiology Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your microbiology degree? Microbiological Sciences & Immunology careers are expected to grow 12.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to microbiological sciences & immunology.
Occupation Name
Projected Jobs
Expected Growth
Medical Scientists
136,100
13.4%
Biological Science Professors
71,700
15.1%
Natural Sciences Managers
62,300
9.9%
Biological Scientists
41,800
8.0%
Microbiologists
25,100
8.2%
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Microbiology Degree Salary Potential
Microbiological Sciences & Immunology graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $37,820 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $15,654 to as high as $72,281. As you might expect, salaries for microbiology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
High Paying Careers for Microbiology Majors
Salaries for microbiological sciences & immunology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers microbiology grads often go into.
Occupation Name
Median Average Salary
Natural Sciences Managers
$139,680
Biological Science Professors
$97,340
Medical Scientists
$96,420
Biological Scientists
$83,600
Microbiologists
$81,150
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Getting Your Microbiological Sciences & Immunology Degree
With over 477 different microbiology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased microbiology school rankings to help you with this.
Top Ranking Lists for Microbiological Sciences & Immunology
by our College Data Analytics Team
