Best institutions to study Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
Any instructional program in the microbiological sciences and immunology not listed above.
13 U.S. institutions graduated 248 Microbiological Sciences and Immunology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0599, a specialization of Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (CIP 26.05), and leads most directly to the Microbiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1022).
About Microbiological Sciences and Immunology programs
Any instructional program in the microbiological sciences and immunology not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Microbiological Sciences and Immunology program focuses on the study of microorganisms and the immune system, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of biological and biomedical sciences. This program is suitable for individuals interested in pursuing careers in research, healthcare, or environmental science, where knowledge of microbiology is essential.
Students in this program will develop core skills in science, critical thinking, and laboratory techniques. Coursework typically covers biology, chemistry, and the practical applications of microbiology, including the isolation and identification of microorganisms and the analysis of their effects on health and the environment.
Credentials awarded
What Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree152 graduates / yr · 1 institution61%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship45 graduates / yr · 6 institutions18%
- Master's degree41 graduates / yr · 7 institutions17%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.0%
Graduates over time
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 242 |
| 2013 | 250 |
| 2014 | 243 |
| 2015 | 251 |
| 2016 | 257 |
| 2017 | 253 |
| 2018 | 227 |
| 2019 | 189 |
| 2020 | 193 |
| 2021 | 206 |
| 2022 | 226 |
| 2023 | 209 |
| 2024 | 248 |
| 2025 | 248 |
Top 13 institutions for Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, 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 California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 152 | 93% | — | $36,403 |
| 2 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 24 | 96% | $14,689 | — |
| 3 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 24 | 68% | — | — |
| 4 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicDoctoralMaster's | 10 | 84% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 6 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicDoctoral | 6 | 85% | — | $34,669 |
| 7 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 67% | — | $39,701 |
| 8 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 9 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 10 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 11 | New York Medical College Valhalla, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 13 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate 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 10 states
Where Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates come from. Each state links to all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3 | 158 | University of California - Los Angeles152 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 24 | Dartmouth College24 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 24 | George Mason University24 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 10 | University of Rochester6 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 10 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick10 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 6 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus6 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 5 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins5 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 5 | Washington University in St Louis5 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 4 | Loyola University Chicago4 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 2 | Georgetown University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1022, Microbiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Microbiological Sciences and Immunology program can pursue careers as microbiologists, natural sciences managers, or biological science teachers. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for microbiologists is around $87,330, with a typical education requirement of a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0599
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Microbiologistsprimary SOC 19-1022 | $87,990 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~1,700 | Bachelor's 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 |
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 Microbiological Sciences and Immunology 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
- 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.
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
- 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 science, critical thinking, writing, and laboratory techniques.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a microbiologist, natural sciences manager, or a biological science teacher.
What is the job outlook for microbiologists?+
The job outlook for microbiologists is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.1%.
What is the CIP code for Microbiological Sciences and Immunology?+
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology is CIP 26.0599 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: Any instructional program in the microbiological sciences and immunology not listed above.
How many institutions offer Microbiological Sciences and Immunology programs?+
13 U.S. institutions reported Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 10 states, awarding 248 credentials in the year. That is 5.3% of all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates.
How much do Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Microbiologists occupation, which Microbiological Sciences and Immunology most directly leads to, pays a median of $87,990 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Microbiological Sciences and Immunology field report median earnings of $36,403 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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