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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Microbiology Schools in the Southeast Region

9 Colleges in the United States
259 Microbiology Degrees Awarded
$46,651 Avg Early-Career Salary

Microbiology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools to find the best for microbiology students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Microbiology in the Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the microbiology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Microbiology

1

Our analysis ranked North Carolina State University At Raleigh the best school in the country for a degree in microbiology. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 47 microbiology degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Microbiology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,761 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $24,486 in student loans. Get the full microbiology details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

2

University Of Georgia came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best microbiology schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. About 50 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $37,864 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,214 to complete this degree. Get the full microbiology details for University Of Georgia

3
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 60 microbiology degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Microbiology graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $30,265 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,762 to complete this degree. Read more about the microbiology program at Clemson University

4

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in microbiology, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 27 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $60,004 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $24,135 in student loans. More information about a degree in microbiology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Alabama At Birmingham one of the top schools for microbiology. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates 64% of students within six years. About 13 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn around $55,413 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in microbiology from University Of Alabama At Birmingham

6

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #6 position for microbiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 31 microbiology degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $49,718 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,348. More information about a degree in microbiology from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

7

The University Of Alabama came in at #7 for microbiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The University Of Alabama awarded about 15 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $50,740 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Read more about the microbiology program at The University Of Alabama

8

East Tennessee State University came in at #8 for microbiology this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 16 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at East Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, microbiology degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $45,444. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. See the full microbiology program report for East Tennessee State University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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