Our two-year, non-thesis program is different than a traditional graduate program in several ways:
Close to Research Triangle Park (RTP) – We are in proximity one of the largest hubs for biotechnology and research
Real-world application– Through industry projects and internships, you will develop multidisciplinary skills that align with industry demands and are directly applicable in your career.
Diverse courses – Our curriculum includes courses in a variety of areas of biosciences and business (including MBA-level coursework) from different colleges and departments at NC State to help you reach your career potential and academic goals.
Personalized approach – With only about 15 students admitted each year, we are able to tailor the MMB program to meet each student’s goals.
Dive deeper – We offer three graduate certificates so you can explore topics of interest in more depth.
Dual-degree option– Earn an MBA through the Poole College of Management with an additional year of study.
MMB Graduates earn more – Students with an MMB degree earn more than those with a B.S. Compare the Return on Investment for yourself.
Shannon Harris, who received her bachelor’s from Appalachian State University, graduated with a Master’s of Microbial Biotechnology in May 2020. Learn more about why she chose this graduate program.
Return on Investment
Career flexibility. Upward mobility. High job satisfaction. These are some of the advantages of pursuing an MMB degree at NC State. Another major advantage is salary: Students with an MMB degree earn a higher starting salary than those with a B.S.
Median annual salary for biotechnology professionals: $95,000 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019)
National growth in graduate-level biotechnology jobs is expected to reach 14% by 2022 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
It takes MMB graduates an average of 13.1months to pay back the cost of attendance.
Cost and Length of Time
NC Resident
Non-Resident
Average Starting MMB Salary
$69,000
$69,000
Average Starting MMB/MBA Salary
$83,000
$83,000
Average pre-MMB Salary
$44,000
$44,000
Five-year Net ROI (MMB Degree)
$101,654
$67,002
Five -year Net (ROI MMB/MBA Degree)
$145,857
$93,394
MMB Cost of Tuition, Fees
$23,345
$57,997
MMB/MBA Cost of Tuition, Fees
$49,142
$101,605
Payback Period (MMB Degree)
11.2 months
27.8 months
Payback Period (MMB/MBA Degree)
15.1 months
31.2 months
Calculations*: 5-year net ROI = (Salary Increase x 5) – Cost of Tuition, Fees Payback Period (months) = (Cost of Tuition, Fees) / (Salary Increase) x 12 Salary Increase = (Avg. MMB or MMB/MBA Starting Salary) – (Avg. Pre-MMB salary) *Calculations do not take into account student loan interest or salary increases that result from promotion or other income.
Interviewers have been impressed with the way the MMB program prepares students for entering the industry.
