2026 Best Value Microbiology & Immunology Schools

[Microbiology & Immunology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/microbiological-sciences-immunology/microbiology-and-immunology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for microbiology & immunology students.
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Finding the Best Value Microbiology & Immunology School for You
The right microbiology & immunology school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Microbiology & Immunology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
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2026 Best Value Microbiology & Immunology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the microbiology & immunology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Microbiology & Immunology Schools
Leading the list is University Of California Irvine, our #1 best value for microbiology & immunology in the United States. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Microbiology & Immunology graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Microbiology & Immunology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Students looking for strong value in microbiology & immunology will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology & immunology graduates is $21,671. Early-career microbiology & immunology graduates make about $26,218. That is a strong return on a $21,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #3 makes West Virginia University one of the best values for microbiology & immunology. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the microbiology & immunology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology & immunology degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in microbiology & immunology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology & immunology graduates is $18,644. Soon after graduation, microbiology & immunology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $32,022. That is a strong return on a $18,644 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Harvard University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology & immunology schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the microbiology & immunology program here. Early-career microbiology & immunology graduates make about $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #6 for value in microbiology & immunology this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the microbiology & immunology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology & immunology degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $39,752. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology & immunology schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the microbiology & immunology program here. Early-career microbiology & immunology graduates make about $42,433. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #8 for value in microbiology & immunology this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for microbiology & immunology graduates is $23,685. Microbiology & Immunology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $37,068 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for microbiology & immunology value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology & immunology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, microbiology & immunology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $37,592. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology & immunology schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $19,800 to complete the microbiology & immunology program here. Microbiology & Immunology graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $46,093 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Rochester landed the #11 spot for microbiology & immunology value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the microbiology & immunology program here. Microbiology & Immunology graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology & immunology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Microbiology & Immunology graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Early-career microbiology & immunology graduates make about $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami landed the #13 spot for microbiology & immunology value this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Microbiology & Immunology graduates carry a median of $18,625 in student loans. Microbiology & Immunology graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $17,200 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
George Washington University earned the #14 position for value in microbiology & immunology this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical student debt for microbiology & immunology graduates is $22,910. Soon after graduation, microbiology & immunology degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #15 position for value in microbiology & immunology this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Microbiology & Immunology graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Microbiology & Immunology graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $72,281 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University came in at #16 for value in microbiology & immunology this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Typical student debt for microbiology & immunology graduates is $16,483. Microbiology & Immunology graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $52,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #17 position for value in microbiology & immunology this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Microbiology & Immunology graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Microbiology & Immunology graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. Tulane University Of Louisiana admits about 14% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.