2027 Best Value Microbiology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Microbiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/microbiological-sciences-immunology/microbiology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong microbiology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 62 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value microbiology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Microbiology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the microbiology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Microbiology Schools
Leading the list is California State University Long Beach, our #1 best value for microbiology in the United States. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $48,631. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $50,706 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $13,811 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $43,608. Set against $13,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #4 place for microbiology. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,644 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology 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%.
Students looking for strong value in microbiology will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #5. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $24,383. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $41,079. That is a strong return on a $24,383 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,917 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $34,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Davis landed the #7 spot for microbiology value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. 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 earned the #8 position for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $23,214. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $37,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside landed the #9 spot for microbiology value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $14,121. 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 ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $18,531. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $22,069. Set against $18,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #12 position for value in microbiology this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $21,395 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $40,101. Set against $21,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce landed the #13 spot for microbiology value this year. Set in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $7,869 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $17,850. That is a strong return on a $7,869 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce admits about 34% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University placed #14 among the best values for microbiology. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $37,375 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla earned the #15 position for value in microbiology this year. Set in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,742 in tuition and fees. 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 #16 for value in microbiology this year. Set in the city of Arecibo, University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,250 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo generally make around $15,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #17 among the best values for microbiology. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $45,360 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
California State University Chico came in at #18 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $24,572. Microbiology graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $49,068 early in their careers. Set against $24,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Humacao came in at #19 for value in microbiology this year. University Of Puerto Rico Humacao is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Humacao. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Humacao generally make around $26,961. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. University Of Puerto Rico Humacao admits about 55% of applicants.
Universidad Del Este ranked #20 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Students borrow a median of $15,167 to complete the microbiology program here. 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 came in at #21 for value in microbiology this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $39,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earned the #22 position for value in microbiology this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. 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. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon admits about 40% of applicants.
Washington State University landed the #23 spot for microbiology value this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $43,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro came in at #24 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Students borrow a median of $13,190 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro generally make around $25,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #25 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $42,634. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Microbiology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for microbiology this year:
Other Microbiology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Microbiology rankings across degree levels:
View All Microbiology 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
