2026 Best Value Microbiology Schools

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $48,631. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for microbiology. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,811 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $43,608. That is a strong return on a $13,811 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

3

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for microbiology. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $15,917. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $34,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

4

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Riverside earned it the #4 place for microbiology. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $14,121. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $43,086. Set against $14,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

A rank of #5 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the best values for microbiology. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $42,634. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

6

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University came in at #6 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $24,383 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $41,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #7 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $39,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

9

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming earned the #9 position for value in microbiology this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #10 for value in microbiology this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $14,308. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $50,706. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

11

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia earned the #11 position for value in microbiology this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $23,214 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $37,864. Set against $23,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

12

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #12 position for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $18,531 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $22,069 early in their careers. Set against $18,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

13

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University came in at #13 for value in microbiology this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $43,736. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $11,000. Microbiology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $46,005 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

15

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo came in at #15 for value in microbiology this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $31,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

16

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Aguadilla, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla landed the #16 spot for microbiology value this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aguadilla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,742. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $7,269. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla generally make around $18,974. That is a strong return on a $7,269 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #17 among the best values for microbiology. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $18,644. Microbiology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $32,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

18

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce came in at #18 for value in microbiology this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mercedita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Students borrow a median of $7,869 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $17,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.

19

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #19 spot for microbiology value this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $48,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

20

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro
San Juan, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,190 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro earn a median of $25,967 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro admits about 70% of applicants.

21

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,274. Students borrow a median of $8,375 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez generally make around $22,932. Set against $8,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez admits about 56% of applicants.

22

University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo came in at #22 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Arecibo, University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,250 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo generally make around $15,654. Set against $5,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 59% of applicants.

23

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #23 spot for microbiology value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $20,542. Microbiology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

24

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German
San German, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German landed the #24 spot for microbiology value this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San German. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $11,821. Microbiology graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German earn a median of $17,234 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

25

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $22,138 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $55,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.