Best institutions to study Microbiology and Immunology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the microorganisms that cause disease and the host immune response to them.
38 U.S. institutions graduated 477 Microbiology and Immunology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0508, a specialization of Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (CIP 26.05), and leads most directly to the Microbiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1022).
About Microbiology and Immunology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the microorganisms that cause disease and the host immune response to them. Includes instruction in microbiology, microbial genetics, molecular virology, pathogenic bacteriology, disease mechanisms, immunology, immunogenetics, autoimmunity, and bioinformatics.
See also: 26.0502 - Microbiology, General., 26.0507 - Immunology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Microbiology and Immunology program focuses on the scientific study of microorganisms that cause diseases and the immune responses they elicit. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of pathogens and the body's defense mechanisms. It prepares graduates for various roles in healthcare, research, and environmental science.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in microbiology, immunology, microbial genetics, and disease mechanisms. Coursework typically includes laboratory techniques, bioinformatics, and the study of pathogenic bacteria and viruses, equipping students with essential skills for scientific inquiry and analysis.
Credentials awarded
What Microbiology and Immunology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree195 graduates / yr · 8 institutions41%
- Master's degree164 graduates / yr · 17 institutions34%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship115 graduates / yr · 25 institutions24%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Microbiology and Immunology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 192 |
| 2013 | 253 |
| 2014 | 199 |
| 2015 | 245 |
| 2016 | 247 |
| 2017 | 261 |
| 2018 | 286 |
| 2019 | 330 |
| 2020 | 369 |
| 2021 | 403 |
| 2022 | 409 |
| 2023 | 415 |
| 2024 | 440 |
| 2025 | 477 |
Top 38 institutions for Microbiology 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 Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 54 | 84% | $26,589 | $17,200 |
| 2 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 44 | 53% | — | $26,218 |
| 3 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 41 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 4 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor's | 30 | 61% | — | $39,752 |
| 5 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 28 | 87% | — | — |
| 6 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor's | 20 | 65% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 19 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 8 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 18 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 9 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 93% | — | $32,022 |
| 10 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 15 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 11 | Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OHPublicMaster's | 15 | 42% | — | — |
| 12 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 15 | 83% | — | — |
| 13 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicMaster's | 14 | 93% | — | $50,706 |
| 14 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 14 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 15 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 13 | 85% | — | $34,279 |
| 16 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 12 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 17 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 12 | 75% | — | — |
| 18 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 54% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicDoctoral | 10 | 85% | — | $37,068 |
| 20 | Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Albany, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 68% | $23,207 | — |
| 21 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | — | — | — |
| 22 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicMaster's | 7 | — | — | — |
| 23 | Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NYPublicDoctoral | 6 | — | — | — |
| 24 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster's | 6 | 88% | — | $37,592 |
| 25 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 26 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
| 27 | Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 28 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TXPublicDoctoral | 4 | — | — | — |
| 29 | Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | — | — | — |
| 30 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 68% | — | $42,433 |
| 31 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 76% | $36,137 | — |
| 32 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 33 | Creighton University Omaha, NEPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 3 | 83% | $27,353 | — |
| 34 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicDoctoral | 2 | 62% | — | — |
| 35 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 36 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicDoctoral | 1 | 71% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicDoctoral | 1 | 72% | — | — |
| 38 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 89% | $20,914 | — |
* 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 23 states
Where Microbiology and Immunology 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 and Immunology program can pursue careers as microbiologists, medical scientists, and biological technicians, among others. The job outlook 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 at least a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0508
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 |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional 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 |
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 Microbiology 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
- 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, Master's, or Doctor's degree, as well as a postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, and laboratory techniques.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a microbiologist, medical scientist, or biological technician, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.1% and 1,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Microbiology and Immunology?+
Microbiology and Immunology is CIP 26.0508 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 the microorganisms that cause disease and the host immune response to them. Includes instruction in microbiology, microbial genetics, molecular virology, pathogenic bacteriology, disease mechanisms, immunology, immunogenetics, autoimmunity, and bioinformatics.
How many institutions offer Microbiology and Immunology programs?+
38 U.S. institutions reported Microbiology and Immunology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 23 states, awarding 477 credentials in the year. That is 10.3% of all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates.
How much do Microbiology and Immunology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Microbiologists occupation, which Microbiology 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 $37,068 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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