by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Microbiology & Immunology covers Microbiology And Immunology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Microorganisms That Cause Disease And The Host Immune Response To Them. Includes Instruction In Microbiology, Microbial Genetics, Molecular Virology, Pathogenic Bacteriology, Disease Mechanisms, Immunology, Immunogenetics, Autoimmunity, And Bioinformatics. Examples: [Medical Microbiology And Immunology]. Read on to learn the key facts every microbiology & immunology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering microbiology & immunology programs.
In the U.S., microbiology & immunology is a popular field of study, with 443 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Microbiology & Immunology Schools ranking analyzes these 37 schools to determine the best overall colleges for microbiology & immunology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of microbiology & immunology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Microbiology & Immunology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations microbiology & immunology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a microbiology & immunology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a microbiology & immunology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several microbiology & 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 | 183 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 133 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 127 |
People currently working in careers related to microbiology & immunology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 35.5% |
| Master’s degree | 19.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 17.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Some college courses | 2.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in microbiology & immunology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying microbiology & immunology can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to microbiology & immunology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to microbiology & immunology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of microbiology & 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 microbiology & immunology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers microbiology & 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 |
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
With 37 different microbiology & immunology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased microbiology & immunology school rankings to help you.
Those considering microbiology & 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 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, Other | 253 |
| Immunology | 220 |
| Infectious Disease and Global Health | 162 |
| Virology | 16 |
| Mycology | 6 |
| Parasitology | 4 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
