2026 Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $19,844. 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. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for strong value in evolutionary biology will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $15,242. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $46,846. That is a strong return on a $15,242 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #3 place for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

4

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Bloomington earned it the #4 place for evolutionary biology. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $20,542. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

5

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in evolutionary biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $27,857. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University came in at #6 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

7

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent came in at #7 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #8 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $54,166. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

9

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University placed #9 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.