Microbiology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 63 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best microbiology schools.
Where you study microbiology matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Microbiology rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Microbiology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Microbiology in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the microbiology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best school in the country for a degree in microbiology. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 82 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Microbiology graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $50,706 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,308.
See the full microbiology program report for University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Davis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 114 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $46,005 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
See the full microbiology program report for University Of California Davis
A rank of #3 makes Washington University In St Louis one of the top schools for microbiology. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
More information about a degree in microbiology from Washington University In St Louis
Students looking for a strong microbiology program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
Get the full microbiology details for Vanderbilt University
University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in microbiology, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 19 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $42,634 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
Get the full microbiology details for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #6 spot for microbiology this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 71 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $34,669 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,917 to complete this degree.
Read more about the microbiology program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California San Diego ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best microbiology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 58 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $43,608. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $13,811 in student loans.
See the full microbiology program report for University Of California San Diego
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #8 among the best microbiology schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 91 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $49,186 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $23,480 in student loans.
More information about a degree in microbiology from University Of Wisconsin Madison
San Diego State University landed the #9 spot for microbiology this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 31 microbiology degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Microbiology graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $45,360 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
Get the full microbiology details for San Diego State University
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #10 among the best microbiology schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 23 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $58,402 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in microbiology from Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of California Riverside landed the #11 spot for microbiology this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. University Of California Riverside awarded about 43 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $43,086 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,121 to complete this degree.
Read more about the microbiology program at University Of California Riverside
California State University Long Beach earned the #12 position for microbiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 microbiology degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Microbiology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $48,631 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete this degree.
Get the full microbiology details for California State University Long Beach
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for microbiology this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 67 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,592 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full microbiology program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best microbiology schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $64,891 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,031.
Read more about the microbiology program at Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #15 for microbiology this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 22 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $32,022 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,644 to complete this degree.
Read more about the microbiology program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #16 position for microbiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 66 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $55,939. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full microbiology program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #17 among the best microbiology schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 41 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $46,093 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,800.
See the full microbiology program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Georgia came in at #18 for microbiology this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 47 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $37,864 early in their careers. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $23,214 in student loans.
Get the full microbiology details for University Of Georgia
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #19 position for microbiology this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $40,920 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete this degree.
Get the full microbiology details for University Of California Santa Cruz
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best microbiology schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 23 microbiology degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $60,004 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,135.
See the full microbiology program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #21 position for microbiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 27 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Typical student debt for the program is $20,542.
See the full microbiology program report for Indiana University Bloomington
Brigham Young University Provo placed #22 among the best microbiology schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 104 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $31,833 early in their careers. Brigham Young University Provo graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans.
Get the full microbiology details for Brigham Young University Provo
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #23 among the best microbiology schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 microbiology degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $43,761 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $24,486 in student loans.
Get the full microbiology details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Arizona State University earned the #24 position for microbiology this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 57 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $39,521 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
Read more about the microbiology program at Arizona State University
Washington State University earned the #25 position for microbiology this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from Washington State University earn around $43,736 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250.
Get the full microbiology details for Washington State University
Rest of the Top 50 Microbiology Schools
These schools also placed among the best for microbiology this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 63 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
