2026 Best Microbiology Schools in California

1

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis tops our 2026 ranking of the best microbiology schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 95 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of California Davis earn around $46,005 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Read more about the microbiology program at University Of California Davis

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is 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. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $50,706. Typical student debt for the program is $14,308. More information about a degree in microbiology from University Of California Berkeley

3

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in microbiology, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. 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

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in microbiology, ranking #4. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 57 microbiology degrees 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

5

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 45 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,121 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in microbiology from University Of California Riverside

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for microbiology this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. 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. Microbiology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $48,631 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. Read more about the microbiology program at California State University Long Beach

7

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #7 position for microbiology this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 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. Students borrow a median of $22,138 to complete this degree. Read more about the microbiology program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

8

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 31 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $45,360 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500. Get the full microbiology details for San Diego State University

9

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico landed the #9 spot for microbiology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. About 63% of students finish within six years. California State University Chico awarded about 14 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $49,068. Typical student debt for the program is $24,572. More information about a degree in microbiology from California State University Chico