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2026 Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in evolutionary biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $53,038. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #2 place for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $16,539. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Students looking for strong value in evolutionary biology will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in evolutionary biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $19,375. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $31,656 early in their careers. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #5 place for evolutionary biology. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
ADBLOCK #101
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #6 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. 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. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $10,459. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $24,143. Set against $10,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $15,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $22,844. That is a strong return on a $15,242 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #8 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $24,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $21,645. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of California Davis earned the #10 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $19,951 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $32,161 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #11 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. 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%.
University Of Arizona earned the #12 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #13 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Central Michigan University placed #14 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $27,857. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $50,688. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Iowa State University came in at #15 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $24,347 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $29,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $26,500. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $54,166. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #17 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $23,461 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $27,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $23,331. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $37,184. That is a strong return on a $23,331 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #19 among the best values for evolutionary biology. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $63,289. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida Southern College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Located in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,040. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Florida Southern College generally make around $26,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
[Evolutionary Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/ecology-and-evolutionary-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
