2026 Best Value Ecology Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in ecology in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Ecology graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Ecology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Riverside one of the best values for ecology. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $19,187. Ecology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

Students looking for strong value in ecology will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $80,276. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.

4

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Ecology graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Ecology graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for ecology. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Ecology graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans. Ecology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $15,977 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $25,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho came in at #7 for value in ecology this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $31,656. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

8

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park placed #8 among the best values for ecology. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Ecology graduates carry a median of $19,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $36,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas landed the #9 spot for ecology value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $28,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #10 spot for ecology value this year. 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. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $15,242. Early-career ecology graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $15,242 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

11

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #11 for value in ecology this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #12 position for value in ecology this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,951 to complete the ecology program here. Ecology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $32,161 early in their careers. Set against $19,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #13 position for value in ecology this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,887 to complete the ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $25,810. Set against $18,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

14

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for ecology value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $25,000. Early-career ecology graduates make about $31,923. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

15

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #15 for value in ecology this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Ecology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $33,296. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

16

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #16 position for value in ecology this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the ecology program here. Ecology graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

17

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #17 for value in ecology this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $23,659. Early-career ecology graduates make about $47,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.

18

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #18 position for value in ecology this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $13,426. Early-career ecology graduates make about $84,850. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

19

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #19 for value in ecology this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Ecology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $49,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

20

The University Of Montana Western
Dillon, MT

The University Of Montana Western ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. The University Of Montana Western is a small public school located in the town of Dillon. Students from in state pay about $6,669 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,130. Ecology graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,924. Set against $22,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

21

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for ecology. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.

22

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

The University Of Montana earned the #22 position for value in ecology this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Ecology graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Ecology graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $42,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

23

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University came in at #23 for value in ecology this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $24,347. Early-career ecology graduates make about $29,842. That is a strong return on a $24,347 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago earned the #24 position for value in ecology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

25

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #25 among the best values for ecology. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the ecology program here. Ecology graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $22,725 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.