2026 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Southeast 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for ecology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in ecology in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Ecology graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ecology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Ecology graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $80,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Ecology graduates carry a median of $15,977 in student loans. Ecology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $25,724 early in their careers. Set against $15,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Institute Of Technology earned it the #4 place for ecology. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Ecology graduates carry a median of $32,114 in student loans. Ecology graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
