Best institutions to study Microbiology
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.
109 U.S. institutions graduated 2,497 Microbiology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0502, a specialization of Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (CIP 26.05), and leads most directly to the Microbiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1022).
About Microbiology programs
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. Includes instruction in microbial genetics, cell biology, cell physiology, virology, pathogenic microbiology, environmental microbiology, immunology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and laboratory methods including microscopy.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Microbiology program, under the broader field of Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, focuses on the scientific study of unicellular organisms and their interactions with humans and the environment. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the roles of microorganisms in health, disease, and ecological systems. It prepares graduates for a variety of roles in research, healthcare, and environmental science.
Students in this program will gain core skills in microbial genetics, cell biology, and immunology, alongside practical laboratory methods such as microscopy. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, scientific methodology, and the application of biostatistics and bioinformatics in microbiological research.
Credentials awarded
What Microbiology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree2,039 graduates / yr · 82 institutions82%
- Master's degree231 graduates / yr · 44 institutions9.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship220 graduates / yr · 47 institutions8.8%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Microbiology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,239 |
| 2013 | 2,251 |
| 2014 | 2,346 |
| 2015 | 2,516 |
| 2016 | 2,667 |
| 2017 | 2,726 |
| 2018 | 2,676 |
| 2019 | 2,853 |
| 2020 | 2,859 |
| 2021 | 2,856 |
| 2022 | 2,882 |
| 2023 | 2,720 |
| 2024 | 2,592 |
| 2025 | 2,497 |
Top 50 institutions for Microbiology, 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 - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 114 | 86% | — | $46,005 |
| 2 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 104 | 81% | $13,712 | $31,833 |
| 3 | University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo Arecibo, PRPublicBachelor's | 95 | 52% | — | $15,654 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 91 | 90% | — | $49,186 |
| 5 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 82 | 93% | — | $50,706 |
| 6 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicBachelor's | 77 | 49% | — | $22,932 |
| 7 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 71 | 85% | — | $34,669 |
| 8 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 69 | 68% | — | $38,040 |
| 9 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 67 | 88% | — | $37,592 |
| 10 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 66 | 83% | — | $47,331 |
| 11 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's | 58 | 86% | — | $43,608 |
| 12 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 57 | 68% | — | $39,521 |
| 13 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 56 | 67% | — | $39,701 |
| 14 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 55 | 69% | — | $27,445 |
| 15 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 51 | 87% | — | $30,265 |
| 16 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicBachelor's | 51 | 46% | — | $41,079 |
| 17 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 49 | 81% | — | $38,726 |
| 18 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 47 | 90% | — | $37,864 |
| 19 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 43 | 76% | — | $43,086 |
| 20 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 43 | 85% | — | $43,761 |
| 21 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor's | 41 | 85% | — | $34,279 |
| 22 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 39 | 75% | — | — |
| 23 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 39 | 70% | — | $37,610 |
| 24 | University of Puerto Rico - Humacao Humacao, PRPublicBachelor's | 37 | 47% | — | $26,961 |
| 25 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 36 | 80% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor's | 35 | 67% | — | $40,792 |
| 27 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 33 | 68% | — | $42,433 |
| 28 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 31 | 69% | — | $48,631 |
| 29 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 31 | 76% | — | $45,360 |
| 30 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | 75% | — | $34,451 |
| 31 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 28 | 75% | — | $39,019 |
| 32 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 27 | 80% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 27 | 69% | — | $43,734 |
| 34 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor's | 24 | 69% | — | — |
| 35 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 23 | 84% | — | — |
| 36 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 23 | 84% | — | — |
| 37 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicBachelor's | 23 | 54% | — | $40,101 |
| 38 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 23 | 86% | — | — |
| 39 | California State University - Chico Chico, CAPublicBachelor's | 22 | 63% | — | $49,068 |
| 40 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 22 | 93% | — | $32,022 |
| 41 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor's | 21 | 61% | — | $37,375 |
| 42 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 21 | 55% | — | — |
| 43 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 20 | 39% | $10,446 | — |
| 44 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 83% | — | $42,634 |
| 45 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 19 | 55% | — | $37,663 |
| 46 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 71% | — | $54,290 |
| 47 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 18 | 71% | — | $35,523 |
| 48 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicBachelor's | 18 | 50% | — | $22,069 |
| 49 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicBachelor's | 17 | 57% | — | $36,118 |
| 50 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor's | 16 | 75% | — | — |
* 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 42 states & territories
Where Microbiology graduates come from. Each state links to all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1022, Microbiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Microbiology program can pursue careers as microbiologists, biological technicians, and food science technicians, among others. The job outlook for microbiologists is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for microbiologists is $87,330, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0502
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 |
Biological Technicians SOC 19-4021 | $57,510 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~9,100 | 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 |
Food Science Technicians SOC 19-4013 | $52,130 | +4.8% About as fast as average | ~3,200 | Associate'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 Microbiology 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).
- 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
- 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 Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, and laboratory techniques.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Microbiology?+
You can work as a microbiologist, biological technician, or in various roles in environmental health.
What is the job outlook for microbiologists?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.1% and around 1,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Microbiology?+
Microbiology is CIP 26.0502 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 unicellular organisms and colonies, and subcellular genetic matter and their ecological interactions with human beings and other life. Includes instruction in microbial genetics, cell biology, cell physiology, virology, pathogenic microbiology, environmental microbiology, immunology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and laboratory methods including microscopy.
How many institutions offer Microbiology programs?+
109 U.S. institutions reported Microbiology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 42 states & territories, awarding 2,497 credentials in the year. That is 53.7% of all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates.
How much do Microbiology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Microbiologists occupation, which Microbiology 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 $39,266 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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