Best Schools for Microbiology in the United States
These are the top schools for a master’s degree in microbiology, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Microbiology
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign the best school in the country for a degree in microbiology. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 14 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Typical student debt for the program is $20,778.
Read more about the microbiology program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in microbiology, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 19 microbiology degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $64,891 in their early career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans.
See the full microbiology program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Students looking for a strong microbiology program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Microbiology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $49,186 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $23,480 in student loans.
Get the full microbiology details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $64,546 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full microbiology details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in microbiology, ranking #5. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 34 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $32,022 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $18,644 in student loans.
See the full microbiology program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 29 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $46,093. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans.
Get the full microbiology details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #7 among the best microbiology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Collins. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 39 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $41,682 in their early career. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the microbiology program at Colorado State University Fort Collins
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro landed the #8 spot for microbiology this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Juan. About 36% of students finish within six years. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro awarded about 10 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro earn a median of $25,967 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,190 to complete this degree.
See the full microbiology program report for Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro
Other Microbiology Degree Levels
Explore the best microbiology schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 125 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.