Best institutions to study Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
Compare 183 U.S. colleges offering Microbiological Sciences and Immunology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 49 states.
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology programs report a median of $38,040 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 26.05 and the Microbiologists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Microbiological Sciences and Immunology programs
The Microbiological Sciences and Immunology program focuses on the study of microorganisms and their interactions with humans, animals, plants, and the environment. This program is ideal for students interested in biological and biomedical sciences, offering a comprehensive understanding of both fundamental and applied microbiology, including specializations such as medical microbiology, virology, and immunology.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in science, critical thinking, and laboratory techniques. Coursework typically covers biology, chemistry, and microbiology, equipping students with the knowledge to isolate and identify microorganisms, monitor environmental samples, and provide laboratory services for health-related diagnostics.
Top 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,807 | 9 | 86% | — | $22,138 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,290 | 19 | 71% | — | $25,464 |
| 3 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,706 | 96 | 93% | — | $14,308 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,186 | 91 | 90% | — | $23,480 |
| 5 | California State University - Chico Chico, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,068 | 22 | 63% | — | $24,572 |
| 6 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,631 | 31 | 69% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,331 | 66 | 83% | — | $27,000 |
| 8 | University of California - Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,005 | 125 | 86% | — | $11,000 |
| 9 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,360 | 31 | 76% | — | $15,500 |
| 10 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,761 | 43 | 85% | — | $24,486 |
| 11 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,736 | 15 | 60% | — | $21,250 |
| 12 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,734 | 29 | 69% | — | $27,000 |
| 13 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,608 | 58 | 86% | — | $13,811 |
| 14 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,086 | 43 | 76% | — | $14,121 |
| 15 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,634 | 19 | 83% | — | $16,500 |
| 16 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,433 | 36 | 68% | — | $20,750 |
| 17 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,079 | 51 | 46% | — | $24,383 |
| 18 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,792 | 35 | 67% | — | $25,941 |
| 19 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,262 | 16 | 64% | — | $25,543 |
| 20 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,101 | 23 | 54% | — | $21,395 |
| 21 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,752 | 30 | 61% | — | $19,500 |
| 22 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,701 | 61 | 67% | — | $26,000 |
| 23 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,521 | 57 | 68% | — | $19,000 |
| 24 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,266 | 1 | 53% | — | $19,334 |
| 25 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,019 | 29 | 75% | — | $22,500 |
| 26 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,726 | 49 | 81% | — | $29,301 |
| 27 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,040 | 69 | 68% | — | $19,323 |
| 28 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,864 | 49 | 90% | — | $23,214 |
| 29 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,663 | 19 | 55% | — | $25,000 |
| 30 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,610 | 39 | 70% | — | $22,959 |
| 31 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,592 | 73 | 88% | — | $20,500 |
| 32 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,375 | 21 | 61% | — | $24,000 |
| 33 | Montana State University Bozeman, MT Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,181 | 74 | 57% | — | $22,065 |
| 34 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,068 | 43 | 85% | — | $23,685 |
| 35 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,403 | 152 | 93% | — | $14,000 |
| 36 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,198 | 10 | 55% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,118 | 17 | 57% | — | $24,250 |
| 38 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,523 | 18 | 71% | — | $17,227 |
| 39 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,669 | 85 | 85% | — | $15,917 |
| 40 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,451 | 29 | 75% | — | $24,304 |
| 41 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,279 | 81 | 85% | — | $19,800 |
| 42 | University of South Florida Tampa, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,135 | 23 | 77% | — | $19,503 |
| 43 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,022 | 58 | 93% | — | $18,644 |
| 44 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,833 | 104 | 81% | $13,712 | $12,250 |
| 45 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,265 | 51 | 87% | — | $25,762 |
| 46 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,994 | 501 | 91% | — | $16,446 |
| 47 | University of Florida - Online Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,994 | 48 | 85% | — | $16,446 |
| 48 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,445 | 55 | 69% | — | $22,985 |
| 49 | University of Puerto Rico - Humacao Humacao, PR Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,961 | 37 | 47% | — | $5,500 |
| 50 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,218 | 44 | 53% | — | $21,671 |
Offered across 49 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1022, Microbiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Microbiological Sciences and Immunology program can pursue various careers in healthcare, research, and environmental science. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth of 4.1% and around 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for related occupations is approximately $87,330, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 26.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 26.05 (Microbiological Sciences and Immunology) maps to 10 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9111 | Medical and Health Services Managers |
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 19-1022 | Microbiologistsprimary |
| 19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other |
| 19-1041 | Epidemiologists |
| 19-1042 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists |
| 19-4013 | Food Science Technicians |
| 19-4021 | Biological Technicians |
| 25-1042 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Microbiological Sciences and Immunology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed or developed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition.
- Provide laboratory services for health departments, community environmental health programs, and physicians needing information for diagnosis and treatment.
- Monitor and perform tests on water, food, and the environment to detect harmful microorganisms or to obtain information about sources of pollution, contamination, or infection.
- Examine physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human, water, and food specimens.
- Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
- Use a variety of specialized equipment, such as electron microscopes, gas and high-pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence-activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
Concentrations within Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Microbiology, GeneralCIP 26.0502
A program that focuses on the scientific study of unicellular organisms and colonies, and subcellular genetic matter and their ecological interactions with human beings and other life
- Medical Microbiology and BacteriologyCIP 26.0503
A program that focuses on the scientific study of pathogenic bacteria that are significant factors in causing or facilitating human disease
- VirologyCIP 26.0504
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
- ParasitologyCIP 26.0505
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 injur
- MycologyCIP 26.0506
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, a
- ImmunologyCIP 26.0507
A program that focuses on scientific study of the biological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of disease, host-pathogen interactions, and host response to disease
- Microbiology and ImmunologyCIP 26.0508
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the microorganisms that cause disease and the host immune response to them
- Infectious Disease and Global HealthCIP 26.0509
A program that focuses on the biological, social, and behavioral factors contributing to the cause and spread of infectious diseases
- Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, OtherCIP 26.0599
Any instructional program in the microbiological sciences and immunology not listed above.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Microbiological Sciences and Immunology program?+
The program focuses on the study of microorganisms and their interactions with various environments, including human health.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in science, critical thinking, laboratory techniques, and effective communication.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work in healthcare, research, and environmental science, with a strong job outlook.
What level of education is typically required for careers in this field?+
A bachelor's degree is typically required for careers related to microbiological sciences and immunology.
How much do Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates earn?+
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates report median earnings of $38,040 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Microbiologists occupation pays about $97,600 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Microbiological Sciences and Immunology?+
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology maps to CIP 26.05 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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