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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Microbiology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

58 Colleges in the United States
$19,880 Avg Student Debt
$62,256 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Microbiology Bachelor's Degree Badge [Microbiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/microbiological-sciences-immunology/microbiology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong microbiology education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 125 schools to find the best return on investment for microbiology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Microbiology Schools in the United States

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

1

For return on investment in microbiology, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $15,671. 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. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California San Diego came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $13,811. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $43,608. Set against $13,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

3

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $15,917 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $34,669 early in their careers. Set against $15,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in microbiology will find it at University Of California Riverside, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $14,121 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Set against $14,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the best values for microbiology. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $42,634 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

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6

Weber State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. 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 landed the #7 spot for microbiology value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $39,521. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

8

University Of Wyoming placed #8 among the best values for microbiology. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $20,283. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

9

University Of California Berkeley came in at #9 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $50,706. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

10

The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #10 among the best values for microbiology. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,531 to complete the microbiology program here. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $22,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

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11

University Of Georgia landed the #11 spot for microbiology value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $23,214 to complete the microbiology program here. Microbiology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $37,864 early in their careers. Set against $23,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of California Davis earned the #12 position for value in microbiology this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

13

Washington State University came in at #13 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $43,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

14

Brigham Young University Provo placed #14 among the best values for microbiology. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $31,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

15

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla earned the #15 position for value in microbiology this year. Set in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,742. Students borrow a median of $7,269 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla generally make around $18,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #16 among the best values for microbiology. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $18,644 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $32,022. That is a strong return on a $18,644 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

17

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce came in at #17 for value in microbiology this year. Set in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $7,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce generally make around $17,850. Set against $7,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #18 among the best values for microbiology. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez came in at #19 for value in microbiology this year. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public school located in the city of Mayaguez. In-state tuition and fees average $5,274. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $8,375. 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. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo earned the #20 position 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.

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21

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro placed #21 among the best values for microbiology. Set in the city of San Juan, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $13,190 in student loans. Microbiology graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro earn a median of $25,967 early in their careers. Set against $13,190 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

22

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #22 for value in microbiology this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

23

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value microbiology schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of San German. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Microbiology graduates carry a median of $11,821 in student loans. Early-career microbiology graduates make about $17,234. Set against $11,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

24

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #24 for value in microbiology this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,138 to complete the microbiology program here. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $55,807. Set against $22,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.

25

Northern Arizona University came in at #25 for value in microbiology this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for microbiology graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $37,375. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Microbiology Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for microbiology this year:

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27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
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47
48
49
50
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Other Microbiology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value microbiology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Microbiology
Associate's Degrees in Microbiology
Master's Degrees in Microbiology
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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 125 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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