2027 Best Value Microbiology Schools in the Southwest Region

[Microbiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/microbiological-sciences-immunology/microbiology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong microbiology education at a price that pays off.
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 Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in microbiology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Microbiology Schools
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Arlington the best value for a degree in microbiology in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,395 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #2 place for microbiology. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $18,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $22,069. That is a strong return on a $18,531 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for microbiology. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $37,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for microbiology. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $39,521. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $24,304. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $34,451. That is a strong return on a $24,304 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #6 spot for microbiology value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $42,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $37,663. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for microbiology. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,323 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $38,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas Tech University came in at #9 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,985 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $27,445 early in their careers. Set against $22,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #10 among the best values for microbiology. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.