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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Microbiology Schools in the The Plains States Region

8 Colleges in the United States
177 Microbiology Degrees Awarded
$48,269 Avg Early-Career Salary

Microbiology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their microbiology programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for microbiology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Microbiology in the The Plains States 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

Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in microbiology. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read more about the microbiology program at Washington University In St Louis

2

Students looking for a strong microbiology program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #2. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. See the full microbiology program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

3
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Students looking for a strong microbiology program will find one at University Of Iowa, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 29 microbiology degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of Iowa earn around $57,375 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,463. Get the full microbiology details for University Of Iowa

4

Iowa State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in microbiology, ranking #4. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 36 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $39,019 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. More information about a degree in microbiology from Iowa State University

5

Students looking for a strong microbiology program will find one at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 19 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the microbiology program make about $40,792 in their early career. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $25,941 in student loans. Get the full microbiology details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

6
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #6 spot for microbiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 microbiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their microbiology degree from University Of Kansas earn around $43,734 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full microbiology details for University Of Kansas

7

Kansas State University landed the #7 spot for microbiology this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 13 microbiology degrees in the most recent data year. Microbiology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $35,523 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,227 to complete this degree. See the full microbiology program report for Kansas State University

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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 · 10 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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