by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Immunology covers Immunology. A Program That Focuses On Scientific Study Of The Biological Mechanisms Involved In The Pathogenesis Of Disease, Host-Pathogen Interactions, And Host Response To Disease. Includes Instruction In Antigen And Antibody Structure And Function, Effector Mechanisms, Receptors, Histocompatibility, Host-Pathogen Recognition, Disease Modeling, Autoimmune Systems, Antibody Formation, Cytotoxic Responses, Regulation Of Immune Response, Virulence Determinants, Intercellular Signaling, Immunosuppression, Immunotherapy, Immunogenetics, Disease Markers, Transplantation, Antibody Humanization, And Microbial Pathogenesis. Read on to learn the important information every immunology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering immunology programs.
Across the country, immunology draws strong interest, with 220 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Immunology Schools ranking analyzes these 25 schools to determine the best overall colleges for immunology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of immunology programs later in this article.
Programs in Immunology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations immunology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a immunology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a immunology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several immunology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 31 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 26 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 163 |
People currently working in careers related to immunology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 34.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 19.0% |
| Master’s degree | 17.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.3% |
| Some college courses | 2.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in immunology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in immunology opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to immunology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to immunology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Microbiologists | 140,194 | -2.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of immunology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,180 |
| 4 years | $52,367 |
| 5 years | $65,002 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for immunology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers immunology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Microbiologists | $73,155 |
With 25 different immunology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased immunology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in immunology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Microbiology, General | 2,646 |
| Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology | 961 |
| Microbiology and Immunology | 443 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, Other | 253 |
| Infectious Disease and Global Health | 162 |
| Virology | 16 |
| Mycology | 6 |
| Parasitology | 4 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
