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2027 Best Value Microbiology Master’s Degree Schools

10 Colleges in the United States
$21,546 Avg Student Debt
$77,568 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Microbiology Master's Degree Badge [Microbiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/microbiological-sciences-immunology/microbiology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value microbiology schools.

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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

1

Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 best value for microbiology in the United States. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for microbiology. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $18,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

3
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vanderbilt University earned it the #3 place for microbiology. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $13,975. Microbiology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

4

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,592 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #5 place for microbiology. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $23,480. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $49,186. Set against $23,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

6

Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #6 for value in microbiology this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #7 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $27,000. Microbiology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $64,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

8

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #8 spot for microbiology value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.

9

George Washington University came in at #9 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.

10
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University earned the #10 position for value in microbiology this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $72,281. Set against $28,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.

Other Microbiology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value microbiology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Microbiology
Bachelor's Degrees in Microbiology

View All Microbiology Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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