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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Microbiology Schools

61 Colleges in the United States
2,368 Microbiology Degrees Awarded
$42,817 Avg Early-Career Salary

Microbiology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 125 schools to find the best for microbiology students.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Microbiology School

Best Microbiology Schools

The microbiology program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Microbiology Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Microbiology School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Microbiology Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Microbiology
Bachelor's Degrees in Microbiology
Master's Degrees in Microbiology
Doctoral Degrees in Microbiology

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Microbiology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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Best Schools for Microbiology in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall microbiology education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Microbiology

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign tops our 2026 ranking of the best microbiology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 22 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $57,461 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in microbiology from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

University Of Maryland Baltimore is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #2 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Baltimore. University Of Maryland Baltimore awarded about 11 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $85,300 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the microbiology program at University Of Maryland Baltimore

3

Students looking for a strong microbiology program will find one at University Of California Davis, which ranked #3. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 95 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $46,005. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the microbiology program at University Of California Davis

4

University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 92 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $50,706 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,308. More information about a degree in microbiology from University Of California Berkeley

5

Washington University In St Louis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #5 spot this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 18 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $68,303 in their early career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. See the full microbiology program report for Washington University In St Louis

6

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #6 position for microbiology this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 31 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $42,634 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree. See the full microbiology program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for microbiology this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 94 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $34,669 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,917 to complete this degree. Read more about the microbiology program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

8

University Of California San Diego placed #8 among the best microbiology schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 57 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $43,608. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $13,811 in student loans. More information about a degree in microbiology from University Of California San Diego

9

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #9 for microbiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 89 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $49,186 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,480 to complete this degree. Read more about the microbiology program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

10

University Of California Riverside ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 45 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Microbiology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,121. See the full microbiology program report for University Of California Riverside

11

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #11 spot for microbiology this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 20 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $58,402 in the first couple years of their career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. More information about a degree in microbiology from Rutgers University New Brunswick

12

California State University Long Beach landed the #12 spot for microbiology this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 29 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $48,631. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete this degree. See the full microbiology program report for California State University Long Beach

13

Texas A And M University College Station ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 42 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Get the full microbiology details for Texas A And M University College Station

14

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 66 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,592 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full microbiology details for Ohio State University Main Campus

15

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #15 spot for microbiology this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 20 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $55,807 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $22,138 in student loans. See the full microbiology program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

16

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $52,123 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,542. More information about a degree in microbiology from Indiana University Bloomington

17

San Diego State University placed #17 among the best microbiology schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. San Diego State University awarded about 31 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $45,360 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in microbiology from San Diego State University

18

University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 66 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $55,939. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full microbiology details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

19

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #19 spot for microbiology this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $46,093 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,800. Read more about the microbiology program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

20

Washington State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. Washington State University awarded about 19 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $43,736. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. More information about a degree in microbiology from Washington State University

21

Arizona State University landed the #21 spot for microbiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 62 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from Arizona State University earn around $39,521 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full microbiology details for Arizona State University

22

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 47 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,761 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,486 to complete this degree. Get the full microbiology details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

23

University Of Georgia came in at #23 for microbiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 50 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $37,864 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,214. Get the full microbiology details for University Of Georgia

24

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #24 for microbiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 34 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $32,022 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,644 to complete this degree. Get the full microbiology details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

25

Brigham Young University Provo earned the #25 position for microbiology this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Brigham Young University Provo graduates 81% of students within six years. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 110 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $31,833. Brigham Young University Provo graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Read more about the microbiology program at Brigham Young University Provo

Rest of the Top 50 Microbiology Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s microbiology ranking:

26
27
28
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
29
30
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
41
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT
42
43
44
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Microbiology by Region

View the Best Microbiology Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Microbiology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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