MS in Microbiology in USA is a 1-2 years full-time course offered to students who have interests in cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, and clinical aspects of microbes. International applicants must have a 4-year bachelor’s degree with an average GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 to apply for MS in Microbiology in USA universities. Non-native English speakers have to provide proof of English language proficiency through TOEFL-iBT 79 or equivalents.
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: Top Microbiology Colleges and Universities in USA

While the fees for MS in Microbiology in USA may seem expensive with annual tuition ranging from 14,300 - 34,650 USD (~INR 11.8 lakhs- 28.7 lakhs), the ROI is twice with an average salary of 69,000 USD (~INR 57.2 lakhs). International Students can also gain financial help through university’s fellowships and research assistantships.
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Highlights

Courses Available MS in Microbiology | Microbiology, and Immunology (MS) | Microbiology and Molecular Biology (MS)
Program Duration Full-Time: 1-2 years
Fees Range 14,300- 34,650 USD (~INR 11.8 lakhs- 28.7 lakhs)
Top Specialization Ethical Research | Microorganism Biology |Microbial Physiology | Immunology
Eligibility Criteria 3.0 GPA (83-86%) | 3 LORs | Statement of Purpose | CV
Exams Required TOEFL iBT: 79 | IELTS: 6.5 | GRE: 300 or better
Job Positions Biomedical Scientist| Clinical Research Associate | Food Technologist | Medicinal Chemist
Average Annual Salaries 69,000 USD (~INR 57.2 lakhs)

MS in Microbiology in USA: Top Universities

Microbiology is offered through a range of programs in the USA, emphasizing certain specialties of the course. Below is a table that contains some of the top universities in USA for MS in Microbiology with program deadlines and annual fees:

University Program Offered Application Deadlines Annual Program Fees (USD)
University of Arizona MS in Microbiology January 1, 2023 34,000
Iowa State University MS in Plant Pathology and Microbiology (MS) January 15, August 1 30,400
George Washington University MS in Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases March 2023; July 2023 32,400
Idaho State University MS in Microbiology February 15, June 1 28,600
Tulane University MS in Microbiology and Immunology May 1, 2023 25,000
Texas A&M University MS in Microbiology June 1, 2023 17,553
Brigham Young University MS in Microbiology and Molecular Biology January 15, 2023 7,700
California State University Long Beach MS in Microbiology February 15, 2023 15,500
Oklahoma State University MS in Microbiology, Cell and Molecular Biology January 15, 2023 25,512

Why MS in Microbiology in USA?

Some of the main reasons why one should plan to study in USA for pursuing or MS in Microbiology are as follows:

  • Pursuing a Master’s in Microbiology from USA is beneficial as healthcare jobs are expected to rise by 16% through 2030.
  • Some of the best universities of USA offers MS in Microbiology like Iowa State University, California State University Long Beach, and Texas A&M University.
  • Fees for MS microbiology is affordable ranging only between 14,300- 34,650 USD (~INR 11.8 lakhs- 28.7 lakhs). On the other hand, the ROI is also huge with average salary of 69,000 USD (~INR 57.2 lakhs) per annum.
  • Financial assistance in USA through merit scholarships, fellowships, and graduate assistantships makes it easy for students to pursue MS in Microbiology.

MS in Microbiology in USA: Admissions

Most universities in USA offer MS in Microbiology during the three intakes- Fall, Winter, and Spring. To be eligible for MS in Microbiology, students must submit documents which are listed below:

  • 4- year bachelor’s degree in the relevant discipline
  • GPA of 3.0 or 83 - 86%
  • Official transcripts from the recognized universities/ institutions
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency (TOEFL iBT 79 or equivalent)
  • GRE Score of 300 or above can be required
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose

Checkout: Statement of Purpose for MS in USA

MS in Microbiology in USA: Eligibility Requirements

Before beginning the application, it’s very important to have all the required documents in hand. A table is provided below which gives specific requirements for the top universities offering MS in Microbiology from the USA:

University Minimum GPA GRE Proof of English Language Proficiency Additional Requirements
University of Arizona 3.0 Not Required TOEFL-iBT: 79 | IELTS: 7 3 LORs; CV; SOP
Iowa State University 3.0 Not Required TOEFL-iBT: 79 | IELTS: 6.5 3 LORs; SOP (1-2 pages)
George Washington University 3.0 Not Required TOEFL-iBT: 100 | IELTS: 7 (no band score below 6.0) SOP (250- 500 words); Resume/ CV; 2 LORs
Idaho State University 3.0 150 or above in Quantitative section TOEFL-iBT: 79 | IELTS: 6.5 LOR(s)
Tulane University 3.0 Not Required TOEFL-iBT 87 | IELTS: 7.0 -
Texas A&M University N/A Not Required TOEFL-IBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.0 2 LORs; CV; Letter from Faculty Member; SOP
Brigham Young University N/A Not Required TOEFL-iBT 85 | IELTS: 7.0 Statement of Intent; CV; Cover Letter; Copies of Publications; List of Presentations
California State University Long Beach 3.0 154 in Quantitative section TOEFL-iBT: 90 3 LORs; CV; Personal Statement (1-page); Written thesis; Worked as Teaching Associate or Graduate Assistant
Oklahoma State University 3.0 GRE (research option) TOEFL-iBT: 79 | IELTS: 6.5 3 LORs; Personal Statement; Published Works; CV/ Resume

MS in Microbiology in USA: Cost of Studying

The cost of studying MS in Microbiology across the top universities is provided in the following table:

Tuition Fees

University Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Program Fees (in INR)
The University of Arizona 34,000 28.17 lakhs
Iowa State University 30,400 25.19 lakhs
George Washington University 32,400 26.85 lakhs
Idaho State University 28,600 23.70 lakhs
Tulane University 25,000 20.71 lakhs
Texas A&M University 17,553 14.54 lakhs
Brigham Young University 7,700 63.81 lakhs
California State University Long Beach 15,500 12.8 lakhs
Oklahoma State University 25,512 2.9 lakhs

Cost of Living in USA

The cost of living varies from student to student, as per their lifestyle choices. There are various factors to consider accommodation, location, food, and miscellaneous costs. Following is an estimate cost of living in USA for international students by California State University Long Beach.

On-Campus Housing
Expenses Cost (in USD) Cost (in INR)
Room and Board 14,932 12.36 lakhs
Books and Supplies 1,092 90,442
Transportation 1,134 93,920
Personal Expenses 2,140 1.77 lakhs
On-Campus Housing
Expenses Cost (in USD) Cost (in INR)
Room and Board 13,910 11.51 lakhs
Books and Supplies 1,092 90,442
Transportation 1,334 11.04 lakhs
Personal Expenses 2,468 2.04 lakhs

MS in Microbiology in USA: Scholarships

Graduate students in the USA are often provided with funding through fellowships or popular scholarships to study in USA. Certain scholarships are also offered to international students. Below is the list of MS in Microbiology scholarships offered by different universities in the USA:

Name of the Scholarships Offered by Awards (in USD) Application Methods
Graduate College Fellowships The University of Arizona 1000 USD per semester By application
Graduate Assistantships Iowa State University 4,775- 14,325 Appointments
Academic Based Graduate NRTW Idaho State University Graduate Non-Resident Tuition Waiver June 1st (For Fall); November 1st (For Spring)
Dr Nancy Foster Scholarship Program (NOAA) Brigham Young University 42,000 (including stipend and tuition) December 22, 2022 (closed)
Beach Scholarships California State University Long Beach Varies TBA

MS in Microbiology in USA: Job Opportunities

Since recent years, there’s been a growing need for professionals in the field of medical microbiology. The health care jobs are expected to rise by 16% through 2030, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics prediction. Eyeing the projected growth, now is the best time to pursue careers in clinical pathology, medical microbiology, bacteriology, pharmaceutical resources, infectious diseases, and virology.

Graduates of Masters in Microbiology in USA will have the qualifying skills for employment in myriad general microbiology settings, including research institutions, diagnostic microbiology laboratories, biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical companies, and health laboratories. The average salary of a microbiologist in the USA is 69,000 USD (~INR 57.2 lakhs). With experience, the salary may go beyond 315,000 USD (2.61 Crores INR) per annum.

Below mentioned are the average salaries for a few roles which graduates of microbiology can acquire:

Roles Average Salary (in USD) Average Salary (in INR)
Microbiologist 56,500 46.82 lakhs
Research Scientist 67,500 55.93 lakhs
Research Associate, Molecular Biology 53,600 44.41 lakhs
Senior Research Associate 71,100 58.92 lakhs
Research Scientist, Biotechnology 84,500 70.02 lakhs
Research Associate, Biotechnology 65,000 53.86 lakhs
Associate Research Scientist 66,700 55.27 lakhs
Senior Research Scientist, Biotechnology 90,000 74.58 lakhs
Laboratory Manager 71,100 58.92 lakhs
Quality Control Microbiologist 53,000 43.92 lakhs
Regulatory Affairs Manager 88,100 73 lakhs

Explore: High Paying Jobs in USA for International Students

MS in Microbiology in USA: Return on Investment

The top universities aim to return more than the minimum investment on MS in Microbiology in USA. The ROI of the top universities are listed below:

University Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Average Salary (in USD)
George Washington University 32,400 81,000
Brigham Young University 7,700 81,000
The University of Arizona 34,000 77,000
Texas A&M University 17,553 77,000
California State University Long Beach 15,500 75,000
Tulane University 25,000 74,000
Iowa State University 30,400 72,000
Idaho State University 28,600 71,000
Oklahoma State University 25,512 71,000

MS in Microbiology in USA Syllabus

MS in Microbiology is a graduate degree program which lasts two years. The program is spread over four semesters with the last semester requiring a thesis submission. The subject covers the different areas of:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Industrial Microbiology

MS in Microbiology in USA: University Comparison

Comparison of top universities in USA for MS in Microbiology based on QS rankings tuition fees, admission requirements and average salary is tabulated below:

Particulars Iowa State University Texas A&M University California State University- Long Beach
QS Rankings 2023 #89 #168 #251
Tuition Fees 15,200 USD (per semester) N/A 15,500 USD (one year)
GPA 3.0 (83-86%) N/A 3.0 (83-86%)
GRE Not required Not required 50%
Proof of English Language Proficiency TOEFL-iBT: 79 | IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL-iBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.0 TOEFL-iBT: 90
LOR(s) 3 LOR 2 LOR 3 LOR
SOP/ Essay 1-2 pages required Required 1-2 Pages required
CV Not required Required Required
Additional Requirements Letter from a faculty member Written thesis; Worked as Teaching Associate or Graduate Assistant -
Average Salary (in INR) 72,000 USD (59.63 lakhs INR) 77,000 USD (63.77 lakhs INR) 75,000 USD (62.11 lakhs INR)

MS Microbiology in USA is one of the best feasible options for the students who are into research. The ROI is twice the fees for the course, giving ample career options. Also, the growing healthcare industries in USA will provide more jobs by 2030, thus making this course more resourceful than ever.

FAQs

Ques. What can I do with an MS in Microbiology in USA?

Ans. Students with an MS in microbiology can acquire the roles of Clinical laboratory supervisor; Clinical research manager; Microbiology technologist; MLT/MLS instructor; Public health microbiologist etc.

Ques. Why should you pursue a MS in Microbiology in USA?

Ans. Pursuing a Master’s in Microbiology from the USA is beneficial as healthcare jobs are expected to rise by 16% through 2030. Also, the return on investment in the program is something to look forward to being 69,000 USD (~INR 57.2 lakhs).

Ques. What is MS in Microbiology in USA?

Ans. MS in Microbiology in the USA is a 1–2-year program that focuses on learning microscopic living organisms that require a microscope. There are more than 240+ courses for microbiology in the USA to choose from.

Ques. What is the scope of MS in Microbiology in USA?

Ans. MS in Microbiology in USA graduates can work in general microbiology settings, including research institutions, diagnostic microbiology laboratories, biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical companies, and health laboratories. The average salary of a microbiologist in the USA is 69,000 USD (~INR 57.2 lakhs).

Ques. What are the common requirements to study MS in Microbiology in USA?

Ans. Apart from the bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA, students must have a TOEFL iBT 79 or equivalent, 2-3 LORs, SOP, and CV for admissions in microbiology in the USA.