by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Entomology covers Entomology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Insect Species And Populations In Respect Of Their Life Cycles, Morphology, Genetics, Physiology, Ecology, Taxonomy, Population Dynamics, And Environmental And Economic Impacts. Includes Instruction In Applicable Biological And Physical Sciences As Well As Insect Toxicology And The Biochemical Control Of Insect Populations. Read on to learn the key facts every entomology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering entomology programs.
Across the country, entomology is a widely-pursued major, with 452 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Entomology Schools ranking analyzes these 32 schools to determine the best overall colleges for entomology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of entomology programs later in this article.
Programs in Entomology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations entomology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a entomology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a entomology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several entomology 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 | 167 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 170 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 115 |
People currently working in careers related to entomology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 35.5% |
| Master’s degree | 19.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 18.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.5% |
| Some college courses | 2.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in entomology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying entomology prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to entomology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to entomology.
| 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% |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | 159,217 | -1.2% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of entomology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,186 |
| 4 years | $39,528 |
| 5 years | $51,678 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for entomology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers entomology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $55,554 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
With 32 different entomology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased entomology school rankings to help you.
Those considering entomology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 1,913 |
| Wildlife Biology | 576 |
| Animal Behavior and Ethology | 267 |
| Animal Physiology | 166 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology, Other | 34 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
