by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for microbiology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the microbiology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Weber State University, our #1 best value for microbiology in the Rocky Mountains Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $24,383 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $41,079. That is a strong return on a $24,383 median debt.
University Of Colorado Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,288 early in their careers. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $36,118. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Provo earned it the #5 place for microbiology. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $31,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $40,692. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.