2027 Best Value Microbiology Schools
[Microbiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/microbiological-sciences-immunology/microbiology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 69 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value microbiology schools.
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Finding the Best Value Microbiology School for You
The right microbiology school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Microbiology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Microbiology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
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2027 Best Value Microbiology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in microbiology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Microbiology Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Long Beach the best value for a degree in microbiology in the United States. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $15,732. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $48,631. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #2 place for microbiology. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $50,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #3 place for microbiology. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $13,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $43,608. That is a strong return on a $13,811 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Colorado Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $26,582. Microbiology graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #5 place for microbiology. 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 graduates is $18,644. Microbiology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $32,022 early in their careers. Set against $18,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Weber State University earned the #6 position for value in microbiology this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,383 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $41,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #7 spot for microbiology value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $15,917. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $34,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $46,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Georgia placed #9 among the best values for microbiology. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $23,214. Microbiology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $37,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,214 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of California Riverside ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $14,121 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #11 among the best values for microbiology. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $18,531 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $22,069. That is a strong return on a $18,531 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Wyoming placed #13 among the best values for microbiology. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #14 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $21,395. Microbiology graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $40,101 early in their careers. Set against $21,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Students borrow a median of $7,869 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce generally make around $17,850. Set against $7,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce admits about 34% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University earned the #16 position for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $37,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aguadilla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,742. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $7,269 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $18,974. Set against $7,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo came in at #18 for value in microbiology this year. University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Arecibo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $5,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo generally make around $15,654. Set against $5,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
San Diego State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $45,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
California State University Chico earned the #20 position for value in microbiology this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $24,572. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $49,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Puerto Rico Humacao placed #21 among the best values for microbiology. Located in the suburb of Humacao, University Of Puerto Rico Humacao is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $5,500. Microbiology graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Humacao earn a median of $26,961 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puerto Rico Humacao admits about 55% of applicants.
Universidad Del Este ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the suburb of Carolina, Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $15,167. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Universidad Del Este generally make around $20,724. Set against $15,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $19,000. Microbiology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $39,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #24 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $13,975. Microbiology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earned the #25 position for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $10,051 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earn a median of $22,810 early in their careers. Set against $10,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Microbiology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for microbiology this year:
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Microbiology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
