Best institutions to study Entomology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of insect species and populations in respect of their life cycles, morphology, genetics, physiology, ecology, taxonomy, population dynamics, and environmental and economic impacts.
36 U.S. institutions graduated 447 Entomology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0702, a specialization of Zoology/Animal Biology (CIP 26.07), and leads most directly to the Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1023).
About Entomology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of insect species and populations in respect of their life cycles, morphology, genetics, physiology, ecology, taxonomy, population dynamics, and environmental and economic impacts. Includes instruction in applicable biological and physical sciences as well as insect toxicology and the biochemical control of insect populations.
See also: 01.1105 - Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Entomology program, part of the Zoology/Animal Biology field, focuses on the scientific study of insect species and populations. Students explore various aspects of entomology, including life cycles, morphology, genetics, physiology, ecology, and the environmental and economic impacts of insects. This program is ideal for those interested in understanding the crucial role insects play in ecosystems and their interactions with humans.
In this program, students gain core skills in critical thinking, active listening, and scientific writing. Coursework includes the study of biology, insect toxicology, and the biochemical control of insect populations, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to analyze and manage insect-related issues effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Entomology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree160 graduates / yr · 32 institutions36%
- Bachelor's degree149 graduates / yr · 15 institutions33%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship108 graduates / yr · 27 institutions24%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate26 graduates / yr · 3 institutions5.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.9%
Graduates over time
Entomology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 346 |
| 2013 | 349 |
| 2014 | 387 |
| 2015 | 340 |
| 2016 | 385 |
| 2017 | 374 |
| 2018 | 348 |
| 2019 | 344 |
| 2020 | 385 |
| 2021 | 394 |
| 2022 | 417 |
| 2023 | 434 |
| 2024 | 427 |
| 2025 | 447 |
Top 36 institutions for Entomology, 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 Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.DoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 99 | 91% | — | $23,809 |
| 2 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Master's | 38 | 84% | — | $31,485 |
| 3 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 31 | 67% | — | — |
| 4 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | 68% | — | $23,031 |
| 5 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 22 | 90% | — | — |
| 6 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 21 | 76% | — | — |
| 7 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 19 | 86% | — | — |
| 8 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 9 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 18 | 83% | — | — |
| 10 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicDoctoralMaster's | 13 | 81% | — | $26,801 |
| 11 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 10 | 84% | — | — |
| 12 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 85% | — | $25,069 |
| 13 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 10 | 88% | — | $29,996 |
| 14 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 9 | 81% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 85% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 89% | — | — |
| 17 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 86% | — | — |
| 18 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 71% | — | $26,843 |
| 19 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 69% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 68% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 57% | — | — |
| 22 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicDoctoral | 6 | 86% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 6 | 90% | — | $23,888 |
| 24 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 71% | — | — |
| 25 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 60% | — | $28,469 |
| 26 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster's | 4 | 71% | — | — |
| 27 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 64% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 85% | — | — |
| 29 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicMaster's | 3 | 55% | — | $35,130 |
| 30 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicMaster's | 2 | 57% | — | — |
| 31 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 87% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicMaster's | 2 | 59% | — | $29,359 |
| 33 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicMaster's | 1 | 75% | — | — |
| 34 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicMaster's | 1 | 64% | — | $33,115 |
| 35 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 69% | — | — |
| 36 | University of Florida - Online Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor's | 1 | 85% | — | $23,809 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Zoology/Animal Biology field (CIP 26.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 33 states
Where Entomology graduates come from. Each state links to all Zoology/Animal Biology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1023, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Entomology program can pursue careers as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists, with additional roles in natural sciences management and education. The job outlook shows little to no change, with an annual opening of approximately 1,400 positions and a median wage of $72,860, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0702
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistsprimary SOC 19-1023 | $76,780 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~1,400 | 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 Entomology 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
- Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
- Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
- Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
- Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
- Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
- Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
Tools and technology used
Other Zoology/Animal Biology specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Zoology/Animal Biology (CIP 26.07).
- Zoology/CIP 26.0701
Animal Biology 1,722 graduates / yr48 institutions - Wildlife BiologyCIP 26.0709646 graduates / yr26 institutions
- Animal Behavior and EthologyCIP 26.0708269 graduates / yr12 institutions
- Animal PhysiologyCIP 26.0707partial data235 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Zoology/CIP 26.0799
Animal Biology partial data25 graduates / yr4 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Entomology?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate in Entomology.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, writing, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue with an Entomology degree?+
You can work as a Zoologist, Wildlife Biologist, or in other related fields such as natural sciences management.
What is the job outlook for Entomology graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 1,400 annual openings and a median wage of $72,860.
What is the CIP code for Entomology?+
Entomology is CIP 26.0702 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Zoology/Animal Biology (CIP 26.07). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of insect species and populations in respect of their life cycles, morphology, genetics, physiology, ecology, taxonomy, population dynamics, and environmental and economic impacts. Includes instruction in applicable biological and physical sciences as well as insect toxicology and the biochemical control of insect populations.
How many institutions offer Entomology programs?+
36 U.S. institutions reported Entomology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 33 states, awarding 447 credentials in the year. That is 13.4% of all Zoology/Animal Biology graduates.
How much do Entomology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists occupation, which Entomology most directly leads to, pays a median of $76,780 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Zoology/Animal Biology field report median earnings of $26,843 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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