2027 Best Value Microbiology Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Microbiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/microbiological-sciences-immunology/microbiology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for microbiology students.
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2027 Best Value Microbiology Schools in the The Plains States 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
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2027 list of the best value microbiology schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $23,685. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $37,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for microbiology. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $25,543 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $40,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a great value for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $25,941 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $40,792. That is a strong return on a $25,941 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for microbiology. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $43,734. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #5 place for microbiology. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $39,019. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Kansas State University earned the #6 position for value in microbiology this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $17,227 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $35,523 early in their careers. Set against $17,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #7 position for value in microbiology this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $21,818. Microbiology graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Washington University In St Louis placed #8 among the best values for microbiology. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #9 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 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.