by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Virology explores Virology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Subcellular Pieces Of Genetic Material, Called Viruses, That Inhabit Living Cells In Parasitical Relationships And Their Role In Disease. Includes Instruction In Virus Taxonomy And Systematics, Viral Structures, Viral Genetics, Prions, Virus/host Cell Interaction, Viral Pathogenesis, And Applications To Specific Topics Such As Cancer Biology. Continue reading for the essential details every virology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering virology programs.
Across the country, virology is a widely-pursued major, with 16 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Virology Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for virology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of virology programs later in this article.
Studies in Virology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations virology graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a virology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a virology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several virology 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 | 1 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 15 |
People currently working in careers related to virology 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 virology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in virology prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to virology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to virology.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of virology 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 virology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers virology 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 3 different virology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased virology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in virology, 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 |
| Mycology | 6 |
| Parasitology | 4 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
