Microbiology Schools and Programs in The United States

Microbiology Studies in The United States

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and parasites: how they grow, how they are structured and how they affect people, animals, plants and the environment. In the United States it is taught as a science degree, usually in a college of science, agriculture or medicine, with a large share of laboratory work. Courses typically include microbial genetics, environmental microbiology and virology, along with chemistry, physics and mathematics, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

How the degree is organised

US higher education has no national list of degree titles; each accredited institution designs its own programmes. The usual levels are:

• Associate degree (two years), mostly at community colleges, as a first step towards a bachelor's degree
• Bachelor's degree (four years), often a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology or in a related field such as biology
• Master's degree (typically two years), for specialisation in areas such as bacteriology or immunology
• PhD (five to eight years), a research degree that ends with a dissertation

Credits in the US reflect the hours a class meets each week, not ECTS, and grades are averaged into a GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students usually declare their major at the end of the second year, so a future microbiologist can start with general science courses. Undergraduate programmes typically include laboratory experience, and many students add internships or research in a faculty lab.

Programmes differ in focus. Oregon State University in Corvallis offers two undergraduate majors in its Department of Microbiology, microbiology and biohealth sciences, and describes its microbiology major as the only degree of its kind in the state; the department also runs M.S. and Ph.D. programmes. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Department of Bacteriology offers BS, MS and PhD degrees, and a joint Microbiology Doctoral Training Program brings together several departments for doctoral students.

Admission, English and visa

For a bachelor's degree you need to have finished secondary school and be at least 17. Each university reviews foreign school records itself and may ask for an evaluation by a credential evaluation agency. US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Graduate programmes in microbiology also look closely at previous research experience.

Before applying for a student visa, you must be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Degree students normally use the F visa, which covers study at an accredited college or university; the J visa covers exchange programmes. Check the accreditation of a school as well: according to EducationUSA, recognition of credits and degrees by other institutions and employers is linked to it.

Costs and funding

Tuition depends on the institution; state universities are generally larger and less expensive than private ones. Doctoral study in microbiology is often funded. The Microbiology Doctoral Training Program at UW-Madison gives an annual stipend of $38,000 in 2026-27 plus full tuition remission, although students still pay student fees. The Rockefeller University in New York, a graduate-only institution, states that its students enjoy full financial support and pay $0 in tuition.

Where to study microbiology in the United States

Microbiology is taught across the country, mostly at research universities. The cities with more than one school on this page are New York (The Rockefeller University and New York University) and Philadelphia (Drexel University and Temple University). Other examples include large public universities such as The Ohio State University, the University of Michigan, the University of Washington, Purdue University and the University of Florida; health-science campuses such as the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF); and community colleges such as Amarillo College in Texas and Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon. Community colleges provide the first two years of a four-year degree at lower cost, and students can then transfer to a university.

Careers

Microbiologists work mainly in laboratories and offices. According to the BLS, they held about 20,100 jobs in 2025; the largest employers were research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences, government, pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, and testing laboratories. Specialisations include clinical, environmental, industrial, medical and public health microbiology, as well as mycology, parasitology and virology.

A bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education, but some employers prefer a master's degree or PhD, and teaching at university usually requires a PhD and postdoctoral research. The BLS gives a median annual wage of $87,990 for microbiologists in May 2025 and projects employment to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,500 openings a year.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to study microbiology in the United States?

A bachelor's degree takes four years, a master's degree typically two and a PhD five to eight years.

Can international students get funding for a PhD in microbiology?

Often, yes. Doctoral programmes such as the one at UW-Madison pay a stipend and cover tuition, and The Rockefeller University charges no tuition to its graduate students.

Which visa do I need to study microbiology in the US?

Degree students usually need an F student visa. You first need an admission from an SEVP-certified institution, which issues the Form I-20 for the visa application.

Do I need a master's degree to work as a microbiologist?

Not always. The BLS says a bachelor's degree in microbiology or a related field is the typical entry route, although some employers prefer a master's degree or PhD.