What can you do with a Microbiology degree from University of Oklahoma?

First, some facts. Of the Microbiology graduates from University of Oklahoma we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 73%, Microbiology graduates from University of Oklahoma have a higher likelihood (+6%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 73%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 63% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Microbiology graduate.

See the details:

View a random Microbiology graduate from University of Oklahoma and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2015 from University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Microbiology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Clinic Care Specialist
Access Medical Centers
Oct 2015 - Present
The role of Clinic Care Specialist may involve some understanding of biological sciences, but it does not primarily utilize the specific skills and knowledge gained from a Bachelor's in Microbiology.

ABOUT

I strive to learn at every opportunity and apply that knowledge for the betterment of others.

What jobs can you get with a Microbiology degree from University of Oklahoma?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the career paths of those with a Microbiology degree from the University of Oklahoma, it's clear that many have gravitated toward jobs in pharmacy, healthcare, and public health sectors. A number of graduates have taken positions as Pharmacy Technicians, Staff Pharmacists, and Pharmacy Managers, which while they do involve some knowledge of microbiological principles, largely focus on pharmacy operations rather than direct application of microbiology. However, there are also numerous graduates who have found roles that closely align with their studies, such as Laboratory Technicians, Infection Preventionists, and Epidemiology Interns, where their knowledge of microbiology is not only relevant but essential for their tasks. This suggests a mixed bag: some grads embraced roles that utilize their microbiology expertise, while others have moved into more pharmacy-oriented positions that only indirectly connect to their degree.

Overall, it seems that while there are definitely graduates landing jobs that are highly relevant to microbiology—like those working in public health, research, and infection control—many end up in pharmacy roles that do not require a deep understanding of microbiological concepts. So, it would be fair to say that the relevance of jobs varies widely among these graduates. If you’re thinking about a Microbiology degree, it’s worth noting that if you want to work directly in the field, you might need to look a bit more deeply into specific roles after graduation that leverage your expertise in microbiology rather than getting swept up in pharmacy jobs that don’t fully use your skills!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Microbiology graduates (this is across all Microbiology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Oklahoma):

What kind of career trajectories do Microbiology graduates from University of Oklahoma have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career paths of Microbiology graduates from the University of Oklahoma, there’s a pretty clear trend. Many of them seem to kick off their careers in roles like pharmacy technicians, laboratory technicians, or internships related to public health and research. After graduating, positions in pharmaceutical settings are quite popular, suggesting that a good chunk of these graduates are finding immediate work in the healthcare sector, which is closely aligned with their studies. For instance, one graduate moved from a pharmacy tech role into management at CVS Health over the span of a few years, showcasing upward mobility in a relevant field.

Fast forward five to ten years, and many alumni have transitioned into more specialized roles. We see quite a few who have stepped into positions such as infection prevention managers, quality control technicians, and clinical pharmacists. Some even ventured into research roles at prestigious organizations, like the CDC and WHO, indicating that those who pursued further education or specialized experiences have really benefited. While not every graduate has remained firmly in microbiology-related positions—some have drifted into roles unrelated to their degree—it’s evident that a solid number of them are making significant contributions in health and research fields. Overall, those who graduated from the program seem to have had reasonable success in leveraging their degree for relevant and stable career paths, especially in the healthcare sector.

How hard is a Microbiology degree from University of Oklahoma?

A Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, whether at the University of Oklahoma or somewhere else, can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths in science. You'll dive deep into subjects like microbiology, biochemistry, and genetics, which means a lot of lab work, memorization, and complex concepts to wrap your head around. If you're someone who enjoys hands-on experiments and is fascinated by tiny organisms and how they impact our world, it can be super rewarding, even if it's tough at times. That said, it’s generally considered more demanding than some other degrees due to the heavy emphasis on detailed scientific understanding and problem-solving. But if you stay organized and keep up with your studies, you’ll definitely be able to manage it!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Microbiology.

Do Microbiology graduates from University of Oklahoma tend to make good money?

Looking at these Microbiology graduates from the University of Oklahoma, it seems like they've had a pretty mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. The graduates from 2012 and 2013 started with some lower-paying entry-level jobs like pharmacy technician roles, but their careers seem to have progressed into better-paying positions in hospitals and health organizations, which is a good sign. Those who graduated in 2015 and 2017 have also landed solid roles like Compliance Testing Analyst and Clinical Pharmacist, suggesting that they could be earning a decent salary now. On the other hand, some recent grads, like those from 2022, seem to still be in entry-level positions, which means they might not be making as much yet. Overall, it looks like with experience and career advancement, many of them are moving towards better-paying jobs, which is great!

What buzzwords do Microbiology graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Microbiology (this is across all Microbiology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Oklahoma). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Microbiology?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Microbiology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Microbiology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of California, Davis 82 13
The Ohio State University 81 13
University of Oklahoma 73 11
University of Florida 56 11