2026 Best Value Microbiological Sciences & Immunology Schools in the Southeast Region

[Microbiological Sciences & Immunology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/microbiological-sciences-immunology/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for microbiological sciences & immunology students.
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2026 Best Value Microbiological Sciences & Immunology Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the microbiological sciences & immunology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Microbiological Sciences & Immunology Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for microbiological sciences & immunology in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,446 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Early-career microbiological sciences & immunology graduates make about $43,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiological sciences & immunology schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Early-career microbiological sciences & immunology graduates make about $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiological sciences & immunology schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,503 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Early-career microbiological sciences & immunology graduates make about $32,135. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #4 place for microbiological sciences & immunology. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $16,446 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Microbiological Sciences & Immunology graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $27,994 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,446 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
West Virginia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in microbiological sciences & immunology, landing the #5 spot this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Early-career microbiological sciences & immunology graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiological sciences & immunology schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,214 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiological sciences & immunology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $37,864. That is a strong return on a $23,214 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #7 spot for microbiological sciences & immunology value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiological sciences & immunology graduates is $24,486. Microbiological Sciences & Immunology 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.
Mississippi State University landed the #8 spot for microbiological sciences & immunology value this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Microbiological Sciences & Immunology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiological sciences & immunology degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $47,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University landed the #9 spot for microbiological sciences & immunology value this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Microbiological Sciences & Immunology graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,444 early in their careers. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #10 for value in microbiological sciences & immunology this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Early-career microbiological sciences & immunology graduates make about $55,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiological sciences & immunology schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Early-career microbiological sciences & immunology graduates make about $63,131. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #12 spot for microbiological sciences & immunology value this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiological sciences & immunology degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $49,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University came in at #13 for value in microbiological sciences & immunology this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Microbiological Sciences & Immunology graduates carry a median of $25,762 in student loans. Early-career microbiological sciences & immunology graduates make about $30,265. Set against $25,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama came in at #14 for value in microbiological sciences & immunology this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Typical student debt for microbiological sciences & immunology graduates is $24,496. Microbiological Sciences & Immunology graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #15 spot for microbiological sciences & immunology value this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $24,135 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiological sciences & immunology degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University earned the #16 position for value in microbiological sciences & immunology this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,164 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiological sciences & immunology degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. That is a strong return on a $22,164 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Duke University earned the #17 position for value in microbiological sciences & immunology this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Microbiological Sciences & Immunology graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiological sciences & immunology degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Miami came in at #18 for value in microbiological sciences & immunology this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,625 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Early-career microbiological sciences & immunology graduates make about $17,200. Set against $18,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiological sciences & immunology schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete the microbiological sciences & immunology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiological sciences & immunology degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $54,082. Set against $22,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.