2026 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Ecology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/ecology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for ecology students.
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2026 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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 Rocky Mountains Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Ecology graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in ecology will find it at University Of Idaho, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $31,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Montana Western earned it the #3 place for ecology. Set in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,669 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $22,484. Early-career ecology graduates make about $36,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ecology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $19,500. Early-career ecology graduates make about $48,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
