by our College Data Analytics TeamVirology was the 1,280 most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 15 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 53.3% reduction in virology degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 23.
Our 2023 Best Virology Schools ranking analyzes 1 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for virology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of virology programs later in this article.
Virology 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.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most virology degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific virology careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of virology degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in virology to something that takes less time like a . The type of virology degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| 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 virology, with approximately 36.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to virology tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 35.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 18.8% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 17.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.4% |
55.0% of virology workers have at least a master's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in virology careers have.
This of course varies depending on which virology career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your virology degree? Virology careers are expected to grow 11.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to virology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 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 virology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for virology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers virology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
| Biological Scientists | $83,600 |
With over 7 different virology 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 virology school rankings to help you with this.
Virology is one of 7 different types of Microbiological Sciences & Immunology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Microbiology | 2,911 |
| Medical Microbiology & Bacteriology | 797 |
| Microbiology & Immunology | 407 |
| Immunology | 210 |
| Other Microbiological Sciences & Immunology | 208 |
