Best institutions to study Infectious Disease and Global Health
A program that focuses on the biological, social, and behavioral factors contributing to the cause and spread of infectious diseases.
12 U.S. institutions graduated 196 Infectious Disease and Global Health students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0509, a specialization of Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (CIP 26.05), and leads most directly to the Medical and Health Services Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9111).
About Infectious Disease and Global Health programs
A program that focuses on the biological, social, and behavioral factors contributing to the cause and spread of infectious diseases. Includes instruction in research design and evaluation, infectious disease epidemiology, international health policy and management, microbiology, microbial genetics, molecular virology, disease mechanisms, antimicrobial resistance, immunology, and bioterrorism.
See also: 51.2210 - International Public Health/International Health.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Infectious Disease and Global Health program, part of the Microbiological Sciences and Immunology field, focuses on understanding the biological, social, and behavioral factors that contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. This program is designed for students interested in addressing global health challenges through research and policy development.
Students will gain knowledge in infectious disease epidemiology, microbiology, immunology, and antimicrobial resistance, along with essential skills in research design, evaluation, and international health policy.
Credentials awarded
What Infectious Disease and Global Health graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree167 graduates / yr · 10 institutions85%
- Post-master's certificate18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions9.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate8 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.1%
- Bachelor's degree3 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.5%
Graduates over time
Infectious Disease and Global Health completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 72 |
| 2023 | 151 |
| 2024 | 162 |
| 2025 | 196 |
CIP 26.0509 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 12 institutions for Infectious Disease and Global Health, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 42 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 2 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 38 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 3 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 4 | Rocky Vista University Parker, COPrivate for-profitMaster's | 17 | — | — | — |
| 5 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 6 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicMaster's | 13 | 58% | — | — |
| 7 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 8 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster'sMaster's | 11 | 93% | — | $32,022 |
| 9 | St. Francis College Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 55% | $26,091 | — |
| 10 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster's | 10 | 75% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 95% | $19,452 | — |
| 12 | Luther College Decorah, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 71% | $22,827 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Microbiological Sciences and Immunology field (CIP 26.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 12 states
Where Infectious Disease and Global Health graduates come from. Each state links to all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 1 | 42 | Harvard University42 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 38 | Duke University38 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 22 | Tulane University of Louisiana22 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 17 | Rocky Vista University17 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 13 | George Washington University13 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 13 | Missouri State University - Springfield13 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 13 | Vanderbilt University13 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 11 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor11 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 10 | St. Francis College10 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 10 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus10 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 4 | University of Notre Dame4 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 3 | Luther College3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9111, Medical and Health Services Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Medical and Health Services Managers, Medical Scientists, and Epidemiologists. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 23.2% and approximately 62,100 annual openings, offering a median wage of $117,960.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0509
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical and Health Services Managersprimary SOC 11-9111 | $123,860 | +23.2% Much faster than average | ~62,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Epidemiologists SOC 19-1041 | $87,220 | +16.2% Much faster than average | ~800 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Infectious Disease and Global Health programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel.
- Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports.
- Plan, implement, and administer programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, nursing and physical plant staff.
- Conduct and administer fiscal operations, including accounting, planning budgets, authorizing expenditures, establishing rates for services, and coordinating financial reporting.
- Maintain awareness of advances in medicine, computerized diagnostic and treatment equipment, data processing technology, government regulations, health insurance changes, and financing options.
- Establish work schedules and assignments for staff, according to workload, space, and equipment availability.
Tools and technology used
Other Microbiological Sciences and Immunology specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (CIP 26.05).
- MicrobiologyCIP 26.05022,497 graduates / yr109 institutions
- Medical Microbiology and BacteriologyCIP 26.0503962 graduates / yr33 institutions
- Microbiology and ImmunologyCIP 26.0508477 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Microbiological Sciences and ImmunologyCIP 26.0599248 graduates / yr13 institutions
- ImmunologyCIP 26.0507242 graduates / yr26 institutions
- MycologyCIP 26.0506limited data14 graduates / yr1 institutions
- VirologyCIP 26.0504partial data7 graduates / yr3 institutions
- ParasitologyCIP 26.0505limited data6 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers a Master's degree, Post-master's certificate, Postbaccalaureate certificate, and a Bachelor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, active listening, and learning strategies.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 23.2%.
How many colleges offer this program?+
There are 12 colleges in the U.S. offering this program.
What is the CIP code for Infectious Disease and Global Health?+
Infectious Disease and Global Health is CIP 26.0509 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (CIP 26.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the biological, social, and behavioral factors contributing to the cause and spread of infectious diseases. Includes instruction in research design and evaluation, infectious disease epidemiology, international health policy and management, microbiology, microbial genetics, molecular virology, disease mechanisms, antimicrobial resistance, immunology, and bioterrorism.
How many institutions offer Infectious Disease and Global Health programs?+
12 U.S. institutions reported Infectious Disease and Global Health graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states, awarding 196 credentials in the year. That is 4.2% of all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates.
How much do Infectious Disease and Global Health graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical and Health Services Managers occupation, which Infectious Disease and Global Health most directly leads to, pays a median of $123,860 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Microbiological Sciences and Immunology field report median earnings of $32,022 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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