2026 Best Microbiology Schools in the Far Western Region
Microbiology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for microbiology students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Microbiology in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall microbiology education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in Microbiology
Our analysis ranked University Of California Davis the best school in the country for a degree in microbiology. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 95 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $46,005 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
Get the full microbiology details for University Of California Davis
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for microbiology. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 92 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $50,706. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete this degree.
See the full microbiology program report for University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong microbiology program will find one at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #3. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $42,634. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the microbiology program at University Of California Santa Barbara
Students looking for a strong microbiology program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 94 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $34,669. Typical student debt for the program is $15,917.
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Students looking for a strong microbiology program will find one at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $43,608 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $13,811 in student loans.
See the full microbiology program report for University Of California San Diego
University Of California Riverside earned the #6 position for microbiology this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $43,086 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,121 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in microbiology from University Of California Riverside
California State University Long Beach ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 29 microbiology degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Microbiology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $48,631 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in microbiology from California State University Long Beach
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #8 for microbiology this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 20 microbiology degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Microbiology graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $55,807 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,138 to complete this degree.
Read more about the microbiology program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Diego State University earned the #9 position for microbiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 31 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $45,360 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
More information about a degree in microbiology from San Diego State University
Washington State University landed the #10 spot for microbiology this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 19 microbiology degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from Washington State University earn around $43,736 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full microbiology details for Washington State University
Oregon State University placed #11 among the best microbiology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Corvallis. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 42 microbiology degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Microbiology graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $37,610 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,959.
Read more about the microbiology program at Oregon State University
California State University Chico placed #12 among the best microbiology schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 14 microbiology degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $49,068 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,572 to complete this degree.
Read more about the microbiology program at California State University Chico
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #13 spot for microbiology this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 10 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent year. Microbiology graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,577.
More information about a degree in microbiology from University Of Hawaii At Manoa
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 21 schools evaluated.
- 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.