by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Parasitology covers Parasitology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Biological Organisms Living In Ecologically Exploitative And Competitive Relationships With Host Organisms, And The Role Of Parasites In Causing Injury, Disease, And Environmental Damage. Includes Instruction In Vector Biology, Immunoparasitology, Medical Parasitology, Molecular Biology Of Parasitical Associations, Veterinary And Comparative Parasitology, Chemotherapeutics, And Ecological And Systematic Parasitology. Read on to learn the important information every parasitology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering parasitology programs.
In the U.S., parasitology draws strong interest, with 4 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Parasitology Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for parasitology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of parasitology programs later in this article.
Programs in Parasitology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations parasitology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a parasitology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a parasitology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several parasitology 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 | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to parasitology 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 parasitology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in parasitology can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to parasitology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to parasitology.
| 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 parasitology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 parasitology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers parasitology 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 1 different parasitology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased parasitology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in parasitology, 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 |
| Mycology | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
