2026 Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in evolutionary biology in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $10,888. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $53,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

2

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

A rank of #4 makes University Of Idaho one of the best values for evolutionary biology. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $31,656. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

5

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in evolutionary biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $19,819. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #6 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

7

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo placed #7 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $10,459 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $24,143 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $15,242. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $46,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

9

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University earned the #9 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $26,500. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $24,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

10

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $21,645. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

11

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #11 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

12

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #12 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $19,951 in student loans. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $32,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

13

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #13 for value in evolutionary biology this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $21,861. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

14

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #14 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $23,608. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

15

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #15 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

16

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #16 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

17

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University came in at #17 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $24,347 in student loans. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $29,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

18

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #18 for value in evolutionary biology this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $21,275. Evolutionary Biology graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

19

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

20

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $76,132. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

21

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $44,776. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

22

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #22 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

23

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #23 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $23,461 in student loans. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $40,352. That is a strong return on a $23,461 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

24

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #24 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $23,331 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $37,184. That is a strong return on a $23,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

25

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University came in at #25 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Temple University earn a median of $66,828 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.