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2026 Best Value Ecology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the ecology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Ecology Schools
Utah State University earned the #1 spot for value among ecology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for ecology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,417 to complete the ecology program here. Ecology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,728 early in their careers. Set against $17,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #3 place for ecology. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $15,977. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $25,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Idaho came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Ecology graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $31,656. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ecology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $19,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of North Texas placed #6 among the best values for ecology. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $18,000. Early-career ecology graduates make about $28,681. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of California Davis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $19,951. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #8 among the best values for ecology. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #9 position for value in ecology 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, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Ecology graduates carry a median of $15,242 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $15,242 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #10 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Ecology graduates carry a median of $18,887 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $25,810. Set against $18,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $31,923. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Delaware earned the #12 position for value in ecology this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Ecology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Ecology graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $33,296 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #13 among the best values for ecology. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $47,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #14 position for value in ecology this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $24,000. Ecology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $33,682 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
The University Of Montana Western earned the #15 position for value in ecology this year. The University Of Montana Western is a small public school located in the town of Dillon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,669, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $22,484. 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. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Iowa State University landed the #16 spot for ecology value this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Ecology graduates carry a median of $24,347 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $29,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Stony Brook University earned the #17 position for value in ecology this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Ecology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $22,725. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $35,322. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #19 among the best values for ecology. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Ecology graduates carry a median of $23,461 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $27,770. That is a strong return on a $23,461 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut landed the #21 spot for ecology value this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $26,798 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $32,882. Set against $26,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #22 position for value in ecology this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $39,491. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Connecticut College earned the #23 position for value in ecology this year. Located in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,242. Students borrow a median of $25,979 to complete the ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Connecticut College generally make around $43,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 37%.
New York University landed the #24 spot for ecology value this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the ecology program here. Ecology graduates of New York University earn a median of $41,024 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Florida Institute Of Technology ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,900. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $32,114. Early-career ecology graduates make about $69,878. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants.
Other Ecology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value ecology schools at other degree levels:
[Ecology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/ecology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
