by our College Data Analytics TeamImmunology was the 794th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 210 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 26.2% increase in immunology degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 155.
This year's Best Immunology Schools ranking compares 20 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom immunology rankings further below.
Immunology majors are found most commonly in careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is important. Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
immunology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific immunology careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different immunology degree levels. You can get anything from a in immunology to the highest immunology degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common immunology degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to immunology, with approximately 31.3% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to immunology tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 30.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 22.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 21.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.0% |
Most workers in immunology have at least a master's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in immunology have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the immunology career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your immunology degree? Immunology careers are expected to grow 12.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to immunology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists | 136,100 | 13.4% |
| Biological Science Professors | 71,700 | 15.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Biological Scientists | 41,800 | 8.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for immunology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for immunology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers immunology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
| Medical Scientists | $96,420 |
| Biological Scientists | $83,600 |
With over 57 different immunology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased immunology school rankings to help you with this.
One of 7 majors within the Microbiological Sciences & Immunology area of study, Immunology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Microbiology | 2,911 |
| Medical Microbiology & Bacteriology | 797 |
| Microbiology & Immunology | 407 |
| Other Microbiological Sciences & Immunology | 208 |
| Virology | 15 |
