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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Evolutionary Biology Master’s Degree Schools

4 Colleges in the United States
$22,922 Avg Student Debt
$77,215 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Evolutionary Biology Master's Degree Badge [Evolutionary Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/ecology-and-evolutionary-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value evolutionary biology schools.

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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

1

University Of California Irvine earned the #1 spot for value among evolutionary biology schools in the United States. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. 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%.

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in evolutionary biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. 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. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for evolutionary biology. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,242 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $62,981. Set against $15,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

4
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. 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. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes Eastern Michigan University one of the best values for evolutionary biology. 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. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $78,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

7

Kent State University At Kent placed #7 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $25,174. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

8

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #8 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $23,461. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $52,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

9
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University came in at #9 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $66,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

10

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #10 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $24,958. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $63,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Northeastern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $25,611. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $39,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

12
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $62,505. Set against $28,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

13

Case Western Reserve University landed the #13 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $25,106. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $74,459. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.

Other Evolutionary Biology Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Evolutionary Biology rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Evolutionary Biology
Associate's Degrees in Evolutionary Biology
Bachelor's Degrees in Evolutionary Biology
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View All Evolutionary Biology Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 49 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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