Biological And Biomedical SciencesSpecialization of Microbiological Sciences and Immunology

Best institutions to study Mycology

CIP 26.0506

A program that focuses on the scientific study of fungi, lichenous plants, eukaryotic microorganisms, myxomycetes, and plasmodiophorales and their relationship to diseases in higher plants, animals, and human beings as well as to pharmacologically useful products.

1 U.S. institutions graduated 14 Mycology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0506, a specialization of Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (CIP 26.05), and leads most directly to the Biological Scientists, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 19-1029).

Institutions
1
offering CIP 26.0506
States offered
1
with graduates reported
Graduates / yr
14
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Women
57%
share of graduates
US median pay · Biological Scientists, All Other
$98,920
BLS OEWS May 2025
Share of Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
0.3%
of all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates

About Mycology programs

Official NCES definition · CIP 26.0506
A program that focuses on the scientific study of fungi, lichenous plants, eukaryotic microorganisms, myxomycetes, and plasmodiophorales and their relationship to diseases in higher plants, animals, and human beings as well as to pharmacologically useful products. Includes instruction in cell and molecular biology; histopathology; fungal growth and behavior; environmental mycology; antifungal sensitivity; mycoses; pathogens and pathogenesis; pharmacological properties; and computer and laboratory research methods.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).

The Mycology program, part of the Microbiological Sciences and Immunology field, focuses on the scientific study of fungi and their relationships with higher plants, animals, and humans. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the diverse roles of fungi in health, disease, and pharmacology.

Learn more about Mycology →

What you'll learn

Students in the Mycology program will gain knowledge in cell and molecular biology, fungal growth and behavior, environmental mycology, and antifungal sensitivity. Coursework also includes training in laboratory research methods and histopathology, equipping students with essential skills for scientific inquiry.

Credentials awarded

What Mycology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).

  • Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year14 graduates / yr · 1 institution
    100%

Graduates over time

Mycology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.

14graduates in 2025
+133% since 2024
20242025614
Graduates per year (IPEDS completions)
YearGraduates
20246
202514

Top 1 institutions for Mycology, ranked by graduates

Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.

#InstitutionGraduates / yrGrad rateNet price
1The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year
1441%—

Offered in 1 states

Where Mycology graduates come from. Each state links to all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology programs offered there.

StateInstitutionsGraduates / yrTop institution by graduates
Washington114The Evergreen State College14 / yr

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1029, Biological Scientists, All Other, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Mycology program can pursue careers as Biological Scientists or Biological Science Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job market outlook indicates little or no change, with approximately 4,800 annual openings and a median wage of $93,330 for those with a Bachelor's degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.2%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~4,800
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$93,330
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
55,850
Biological Scientists, All Other
US average pay
$106,330
annual, BLS OEWS May 2025
US median pay
$98,920
annual

Top-paying metros

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$148,020avg
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$142,300avg
New Haven, CT
$128,520avg
Portland-South Portland, ME
$127,030avg
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH
$126,160avg

Career pathways for CIP 26.0506

The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.

OccupationUS median payGrowthOpenings / yrTypical entry education
Biological Scientists, All Otherprimary
SOC 19-1029
$98,920+1.2%
Little or no change
~4,800Bachelor's degree
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC 25-1042
$84,620+7.3%
Faster than average
~5,400Doctoral or professional degree

Related careers

Biological Scientists, All Other
$106,330 avg · 55,850 jobs
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$102,840 avg · 50,190 jobs

Other Microbiological Sciences and Immunology specializations

The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (CIP 26.05).

Common questions

What is Mycology?+

Mycology is the scientific study of fungi, including their impact on health and disease.

What will I learn in this program?+

You will learn about fungal biology, environmental mycology, and laboratory research methods.

What careers can I pursue with this degree?+

You can work as a Biological Scientist or a Biological Science Teacher.

What is the job outlook for graduates?+

The job outlook is stable, with a median wage of $93,330 and about 4,800 openings annually.

What is the CIP code for Mycology?+

Mycology is CIP 26.0506 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 fungi, lichenous plants, eukaryotic microorganisms, myxomycetes, and plasmodiophorales and their relationship to diseases in higher plants, animals, and human beings as well as to pharmacologically useful products. Includes instruction in cell and molecular biology; histopathology; fungal growth and behavior; environmental mycology; antifungal sensitivity; mycoses; pathogens and pathogenesis; pharmacological properties; and computer and laboratory research methods.

How many institutions offer Mycology programs?+

1 U.S. institutions reported Mycology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 14 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates.

How much do Mycology graduates earn?+

Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Scientists, All Other occupation, which Mycology most directly leads to, pays a median of $98,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Microbiological Sciences and Immunology by stateWashington

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.

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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