2026 Best Value Microbiology Schools in the Southeast Region
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 Georgia, our #1 best value for microbiology in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $23,214 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $37,864. Set against $23,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #2 place for microbiology. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $24,486. Microbiology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,761 early in their careers. Set against $24,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Tennessee State University earned it the #3 place for microbiology. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $45,444. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $55,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $49,718. Set against $21,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $25,762 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $30,265. That is a strong return on a $25,762 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
The University Of Alabama came in at #7 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $24,496. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #8 spot for microbiology value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $24,135 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $60,004. That is a strong return on a $24,135 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Narrow Microbiology Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
