by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Mycology explores Mycology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Fungi, Lichenous Plants, Eukaryotic Microorganisms, Myxomycetes, And Plasmodiophorales And Their Relationship To Diseases In Higher Plants, Animals, And Human Beings As Well As To Pharmacologically Useful Products. Includes Instruction In Cell And Molecular Biology; Histopathology; Fungal Growth And Behavior; Environmental Mycology; Antifungal Sensitivity; Mycoses; Pathogens And Pathogenesis; Pharmacological Properties; And Computer And Laboratory Research Methods. Read on to learn the essential details every mycology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering mycology programs.
Nationwide, mycology is a widely-pursued major, with 6 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Mycology Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for mycology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of mycology programs later in this article.
Studies in Mycology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations mycology graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a mycology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a mycology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several mycology 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 6 |
People currently working in careers related to mycology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-doctoral training | 34.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 27.3% |
| Master’s degree | 23.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in mycology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in mycology prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to mycology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mycology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | 23,620 | 9.2% |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | 11,006 | 5.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of mycology 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 mycology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers mycology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
| Geneticists | $48,526 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 1 different mycology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased mycology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in mycology, 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 |
| Immunology | 220 |
| Infectious Disease and Global Health | 162 |
| Virology | 16 |
| Parasitology | 4 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
