Microbiology and Immunology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Microbiology and Immunology is a rigorous academic discipline dedicated to understanding the complex interactions between disease-causing microorganisms and the human immune system. This program equips students with advanced knowledge of microbial pathogenesis, immune defense mechanisms, and the molecular underpinnings of infectious diseases and immune disorders.
- Microbiology: The study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, with a focus on their structure, function, and role in health and disease.
- Microbial Genetics: Explores the genetic makeup and hereditary traits of microorganisms, emphasizing gene regulation, mutation, and genetic transfer mechanisms.
- Molecular Virology: Investigates the molecular biology of viruses, including replication cycles, host-pathogen interactions, and viral evolution.
- Pathogenic Bacteriology: Focuses on bacteria that cause disease, covering virulence factors, infection pathways, and strategies for pathogenicity.
- Disease Mechanisms: Analyzes the biological processes by which infections develop, progress, and impact host physiology at cellular and systemic levels.
- Immunology: Examines the structure and function of the immune system, including innate and adaptive immune responses to pathogens.
- Immunogenetics: Studies the genetic basis of immune system variation and its influence on susceptibility to disease and immune responses.
- Autoimmunity: Explores conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, including the causes and molecular triggers of autoimmune disorders.
- Bioinformatics: Applies computational tools to analyze biological data, particularly in genomics, proteomics, and the modeling of microbial and immune system interactions.
Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Microbiology and Immunology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Microbiology and Immunology degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists and Biological Scientists, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 466,080 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 19-1042 | $100,590 | $61,860 - $168,210 | 156,300 | $48.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other 19-1029 | $93,330 | $54,500 - $159,780 | 59,710 | $44.87 |
| Microbiologists 19-1022 | $87,330 | $51,220 - $150,650 | 19,760 | $41.98 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042 | $83,460 | $50,760 - $169,560 | 53,250 | N/A |
| Biological Technicians 19-4021 | $52,000 | $38,060 - $81,990 | 76,190 | $25.00 |
Microbiology and Immunology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $68,060 in Louisiana to $124,102 in California—a 82% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 466,080 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Microbiology and Immunology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 37 institutions offering Microbiology and Immunology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Microbiology and Immunology is found at University of Miami (UM) (56 graduates), The University of Texas (UTSA), San Antonio (44 graduates), University of Nevada (UNR), Reno (31 graduates), Drexel University (31 graduates), and University of California (UCI), Irvine (28 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 443 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
56 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
44 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Drexel University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | mcw.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center |
Master's
|
13 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | uthscsa.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
12 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Master's
|
11 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Albany, New York | Private | acphs.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Albert Einstein College of Medicine |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Bronx, New York | Private | einsteinmed.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Tufts University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| Wright State University |
Master's
|
6 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | wright.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Master's
|
5 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Galveston, Texas | Public | utmb.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Quinnipiac University (QU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Hamden, Connecticut | Private | qu.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Creighton University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| Upstate Medical University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Syracuse, New York | Public | upstate.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Houston, Texas | Private | bcm.edu |
| Harvard University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Microbiology and Immunology programs
How much can I earn with a Microbiology and Immunology degree?
Salaries for Microbiology and Immunology graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn around $100,590. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $124,102 compared to $68,060 in Louisiana. Approximately 466,080 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Microbiology and Immunology programs?
Currently 37 accredited institutions offer Microbiology and Immunology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Miami (UM) (56 graduates), The University of Texas (UTSA), San Antonio (44 graduates), and University of Nevada (UNR), Reno (31 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Microbiology and Immunology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 161 in 2010 to 443 in 2023-24. This represents a 175% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Microbiology and Immunology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and Biological Scientists, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 466,080 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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