Best institutions to study Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of pathogenic bacteria that are significant factors in causing or facilitating human disease.
33 U.S. institutions graduated 962 Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0503, a specialization of Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (CIP 26.05), and leads most directly to the Biological Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4021).
About Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of pathogenic bacteria that are significant factors in causing or facilitating human disease. Includes instruction in the pathogenesis of bacterial diseases, bacterial genetics and physiology, bacterial anatomy and structure, antigens, bacterial reproduction, bacterial adhesion, phagocytes, and the identification of new or mutated bacteria and bacterial agents.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology program, part of the Microbiological Sciences and Immunology field, focuses on the scientific study of pathogenic bacteria that contribute to human diseases. This program is designed for students interested in understanding bacterial pathogenesis, genetics, and physiology, preparing them for careers in health and research sectors.
Students in this program will gain core knowledge in biology, chemistry, and mathematics, alongside essential skills such as critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes the study of bacterial anatomy, reproduction, and the identification of new bacterial agents.
Credentials awarded
What Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree448 graduates / yr · 11 institutions47%
- Master's degree374 graduates / yr · 16 institutions39%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship110 graduates / yr · 20 institutions11%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate30 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.1%
Graduates over time
Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 992 |
| 2013 | 976 |
| 2014 | 968 |
| 2015 | 787 |
| 2016 | 663 |
| 2017 | 710 |
| 2018 | 778 |
| 2019 | 791 |
| 2020 | 841 |
| 2021 | 779 |
| 2022 | 942 |
| 2023 | 977 |
| 2024 | 947 |
| 2025 | 962 |
Top 33 institutions for Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology, 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 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 501 | 91% | — | $27,994 |
| 2 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 74 | 57% | — | $37,181 |
| 3 | University of Florida - Online Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor's | 48 | 85% | — | $27,994 |
| 4 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 33 | 82% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor's | 27 | 85% | — | $37,068 |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 27 | 85% | — | $34,279 |
| 7 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 25 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 8 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 23 | 77% | — | $32,135 |
| 9 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor's | 22 | 67% | — | — |
| 10 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 18 | 86% | — | — |
| 11 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 16 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 12 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicDoctoralMaster's | 15 | 74% | — | — |
| 13 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 14 | 69% | $26,034 | — |
| 14 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicDoctoral | 14 | 96% | — | — |
| 15 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 12 | 63% | — | — |
| 16 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor's | 10 | 55% | — | $36,198 |
| 17 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicDoctoralMaster's | 10 | 91% | — | — |
| 18 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 19 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 64% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 75% | — | — |
| 21 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicDoctoral | 7 | 76% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicDoctoral | 7 | — | — | — |
| 23 | Regis University Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 61% | $22,407 | — |
| 24 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor's | 6 | 78% | — | — |
| 25 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 76% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicDoctoralMaster's | 4 | 61% | — | — |
| 27 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 87% | — | — |
| 28 | Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SCPublicDoctoral | 3 | — | — | — |
| 29 | University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WIPublicBachelor's | 3 | 46% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicDoctoral | 2 | 69% | — | $43,734 |
| 31 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LAPublicDoctoral | 2 | — | — | — |
| 32 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport Shreveport, LAPublicDoctoral | 2 | — | — | — |
| 33 | New York Medical College Valhalla, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | — | — | — |
* 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 24 states
Where Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology graduates come from. Each state links to all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4021, Biological Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology program can pursue various careers, including roles as Biological Technicians and Medical Scientists. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 3.5% and approximately 9,100 annual openings. A typical education requirement for these positions is a Bachelor's degree, with a median wage of $52,000.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0503
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Biological Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4021 | $57,510 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor'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 Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology 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
- Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
- Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
- Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
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
- Microbiology and ImmunologyCIP 26.0508477 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Microbiological Sciences and ImmunologyCIP 26.0599248 graduates / yr13 institutions
- ImmunologyCIP 26.0507242 graduates / yr26 institutions
- Infectious Disease and Global HealthCIP 26.0509196 graduates / yr12 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 can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, science, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Biological Technician, Medical Scientist, or in other related fields.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.5% and around 9,100 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology?+
Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology is CIP 26.0503 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 scientific study of pathogenic bacteria that are significant factors in causing or facilitating human disease. Includes instruction in the pathogenesis of bacterial diseases, bacterial genetics and physiology, bacterial anatomy and structure, antigens, bacterial reproduction, bacterial adhesion, phagocytes, and the identification of new or mutated bacteria and bacterial agents.
How many institutions offer Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology programs?+
33 U.S. institutions reported Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 24 states, awarding 962 credentials in the year. That is 20.7% of all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates.
How much do Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Technicians occupation, which Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology most directly leads to, pays a median of $57,510 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Microbiological Sciences and Immunology field report median earnings of $36,198 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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