Best institutions to study Virology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of subcellular pieces of genetic material, called viruses, that inhabit living cells in parasitical relationships and their role in disease.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 7 Virology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0504, a specialization of Microbiological Sciences and Immunology (CIP 26.05), and leads most directly to the Microbiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1022).
About Virology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of subcellular pieces of genetic material, called viruses, that inhabit living cells in parasitical relationships and their role in disease. Includes instruction in virus taxonomy and systematics, viral structures, viral genetics, prions, virus/host cell interaction, viral pathogenesis, and applications to specific topics such as cancer biology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Virology program, a specialization within Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, focuses on the scientific study of viruses and their interactions with living cells. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the role of viruses in disease, including their taxonomy, genetics, and pathogenesis. It prepares graduates for advanced research and scholarship in the field of virology.
Students in the Virology program will gain essential skills in science, critical thinking, and laboratory techniques. Coursework typically covers virus taxonomy, viral structures, and host-virus interactions, equipping students with a solid foundation in biological and biomedical sciences.
Credentials awarded
What Virology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship7 graduates / yr · 3 institutions100%
Graduates over time
Virology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 35 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 7 |
Top 3 institutions for Virology, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 98% | $15,013 |
| 2 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 87% | $27,976 |
| 3 | Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | — | — |
Offered in 3 states
Where Virology graduates come from. Each state links to all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 1 | 5 | Harvard University5 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | Case Western Reserve University1 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 1 | Baylor College of Medicine1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1022, Microbiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Virology program can pursue careers as microbiologists, medical scientists, or biological science teachers. The job outlook for microbiologists is about as fast as average, with an estimated growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for microbiologists is $87,330, and a bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0504
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 |
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 Virology 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
- 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
- ParasitologyCIP 26.0505limited data6 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What is the focus of the Virology program?+
The program focuses on the study of viruses, their genetics, and their role in diseases.
What degree do I earn from this program?+
Students earn a Doctor's degree in research/scholarship upon completion.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, and laboratory techniques.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as microbiologists, medical scientists, or biological science teachers.
What is the CIP code for Virology?+
Virology is CIP 26.0504 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 subcellular pieces of genetic material, called viruses, that inhabit living cells in parasitical relationships and their role in disease. Includes instruction in virus taxonomy and systematics, viral structures, viral genetics, prions, virus/host cell interaction, viral pathogenesis, and applications to specific topics such as cancer biology.
How many institutions offer Virology programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Virology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 7 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates.
How much do Virology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Microbiologists occupation, which Virology most directly leads to, pays a median of $87,990 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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