by our College Data Analytics TeamOrganisms too small to be seen with the naked eye can either aid human life, or cause devastating diseases. If you would like to study cells, organisms and bacteria that hold the secret of life, consider majoring in Microbiological Sciences & Immunology.
In this major you will study organisms like protozoa, fungi, algae, viruses, and bacteria. Many of your studies will be around how to control, cure, and eliminate infectious diseases. The study of microorganisms also allows one to learn how to remove spilled toxic waste or improve medical cures.
Some classes you will take will be: physiology, biology, genetics, pathogenicity, ecology, advanced mathematics, taxonomy, microbiology, chemistry, and physics.
Students have the choice to study General Microbiology, or they can choose concentrations in Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, Mycology, or Immunology.
In 2020-2021, microbiological sciences and immunology was the 134th most popular major nationwide with 4,566 degrees awarded. This represents a 1.1% increase in microbiology degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 4,518.
This year's Best Microbiological Sciences & Immunology Schools ranking compares 130 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom microbiology rankings further below.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Curiosity about all forms of life will aid you in this major. You will be studying about microbial life including its structure and behavior. Good communication skills will help you write lab reports and research papers. You will also need to work closely with your professors and your peers; it is important to be able to listen to their advice and explain your own thoughts and ideas clearly. Teamwork will also be part of this major; you should be ready to pull your own weight as well as step up to a leadership position when needed.
You will learn critical thinking skills throughout your undergraduate degree. Biological theories and practical knowledge will help you think critically and analytically. You should be ready to solve difficult problems using advanced science and math. Working with and operating scientific equipment will be a requirement for this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most microbiology degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic microbiological sciences and immunology program qualifications, to serve in some microbiology careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of microbiology degrees. Microbiological Sciences & Immunology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest microbiology degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a microbiology degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to microbiology, with approximately 33.7% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for microbiology workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 32.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 20.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 18.4% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.7% |
About 57.1% of workers in careers related to microbiology obtain at least master's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in microbiological sciences and immunology have received.
The education level required is different depending on the microbiology career you are seeking.
Many graduates end up pursuing graduate work in various biological studies. However, you can go right into a career in the field as well. Microbiological Science & Immunology is necessary when researching better medical care, disease prevention, microbiological systems, or pollution control. You will be prepared to work in research laboratories, industries like pharmaceutical or medical device manufactures, technical sales, or even teaching.
Want a job when you graduate with your microbiology degree? Microbiological Sciences & Immunology careers are expected to grow 12.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to microbiological sciences and immunology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists | 136,100 | 13.4% |
| Biological Science Professors | 71,700 | 15.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Biological Scientists | 41,800 | 8.0% |
| Microbiologists | 25,100 | 8.2% |
Microbiological Sciences & Immunology graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $33,785 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $10,861 to as high as $65,675. As you might expect, salaries for microbiology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for microbiological sciences and immunology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers microbiology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
| Medical Scientists | $96,420 |
| Biological Scientists | $83,600 |
| Microbiologists | $81,150 |
With over 486 different microbiology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased microbiology school rankings to help you with this.
Microbiological Sciences & Immunology is one of 14 different types of Biological & Biomedical Sciences programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Microbiology | 2,911 |
| Medical Microbiology & Bacteriology | 797 |
| Microbiology & Immunology | 407 |
| Immunology | 210 |
| Other Microbiological Sciences & Immunology | 208 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Biology | 107,165 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology | 14,535 |
| Neurobiology & Neurosciences | 11,615 |
| Physiology & Pathology Sciences | 8,813 |
| Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology | 7,247 |
