2026 Best Value Ecology Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Our analysis ranked University Of California Los Angeles the best value for a degree in ecology in the United States. 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. Early-career ecology graduates make about $18,728. Set against $17,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

2

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $16,191. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for ecology. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $15,242 to complete the ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $15,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

4

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Students looking for strong value in ecology will find it at Oklahoma State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Ecology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Ecology graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,923 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Delaware earned it the #5 place for ecology. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $33,296. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.

6

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #6 for value in ecology this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $21,241. Ecology graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

7

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Ecology graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Ecology graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

8

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. 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, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $23,659. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #9 position for value in ecology this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $24,000. Ecology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $65,137 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

10

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for ecology value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Ecology graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

11

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

The University Of Montana ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $24,342. Early-career ecology graduates make about $42,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

12

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago placed #12 among the best values for ecology. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $15,854. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

13

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #13 for value in ecology this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the ecology program here. Ecology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $78,660 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

14

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent came in at #14 for value in ecology this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. 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 ecology graduates is $25,174. Ecology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

15

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #15 for value in ecology this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $19,500. Early-career ecology graduates make about $48,193. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

16

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo placed #16 among the best values for ecology. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Ecology graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

17

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #17 position for value in ecology this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $23,461. Early-career ecology graduates make about $52,933. Set against $23,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

18

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut placed #18 among the best values for ecology. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Ecology graduates carry a median of $26,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $32,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

19

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #19 spot for ecology value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $27,000. Early-career ecology graduates make about $39,491. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

20

Florida Institute Of Technology
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #20 spot for ecology value this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,900. Students borrow a median of $32,114 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $69,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.