2026 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 University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 best value for microbiology in the United States. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $20,778. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for microbiology. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $18,644 in student loans. 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. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro earned it the #3 place for microbiology. Located in the city of San Juan, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $13,190. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $25,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $23,480 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $49,186. Set against $23,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $20,500. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $37,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #6 for value in microbiology this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $20,031. Microbiology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #7 position for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $41,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #8 position for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $64,546. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $46,093. Set against $19,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
George Washington University landed the #10 spot for microbiology value this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $22,910. Microbiology graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 125 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
[Microbiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/microbiological-sciences-immunology/microbiology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong microbiology education at a price that pays off.
