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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Ecology Schools

24 Colleges in the United States
991 Ecology Degrees Awarded
$40,445 Avg Early-Career Salary

Ecology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their ecology programs.

College Factual analyzed 87 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best ecology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Ecology School

Best Ecology Schools

Where you study ecology matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Ecology Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Ecology School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Ecology Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Ecology
Bachelor's Degrees in Ecology
Master's Degrees in Ecology
Doctoral Degrees in Ecology

We offer several rankings, including this Best Ecology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

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Best Schools for Ecology in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall ecology education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Ecology

1

Our analysis ranked Ohio State University Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in ecology. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 ecology students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Ecology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Read more about the ecology program at Ohio State University Main Campus

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ecology, ranking #2. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 14 ecology students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in ecology from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for a strong ecology program will find one at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 26 ecology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Ecology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. See the full ecology program report for University Of Florida

4

University Of Maryland College Park is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ecology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 112 ecology degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the ecology program make about $36,375 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,635 to complete this degree. Get the full ecology details for University Of Maryland College Park

5
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

Students looking for a strong ecology program will find one at New York University, which ranked #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 39 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology degree from New York University earn around $41,024 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full ecology program report for New York University

6

University Of California Riverside ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best ecology schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Riverside awarded about 15 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Ecology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,040 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ecology from University Of California Riverside

7

University Of Chicago came in at #7 for ecology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 ecology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the ecology program at University Of Chicago

8

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #8 for ecology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 34 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Ecology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,728 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,417 to complete this degree. See the full ecology program report for University Of California Los Angeles

9

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #9 spot for ecology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 39 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology program make about $49,410 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full ecology program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

10
Connecticut College crest
Connecticut College
New London, CT

Connecticut College earned the #10 position for ecology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New London. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 21 ecology students who graduated with this degree at Connecticut College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Connecticut College generally make around $43,936. Students borrow a median of $25,979 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ecology from Connecticut College

11

Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #11 position for ecology this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 28 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $48,193. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ecology from Colorado State University Fort Collins

12
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University landed the #12 spot for ecology this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. Stony Brook University awarded about 14 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology program make about $22,725 in their early career. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full ecology details for Stony Brook University

13

University Of Northern Iowa ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best ecology schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 15 ecology degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Typical student debt for the program is $22,635. Read more about the ecology program at University Of Northern Iowa

14

Utah State University came in at #14 for ecology this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Utah State University awarded about 104 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology program make about $50,348 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,191. More information about a degree in ecology from Utah State University

15

University Of Georgia came in at #15 for ecology this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 ecology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology degree from University Of Georgia earn around $25,724 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,977. Read more about the ecology program at University Of Georgia

16

University Of North Texas placed #16 among the best ecology schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 ecology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology program make about $28,681 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. Read more about the ecology program at University Of North Texas

17

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #17 position for ecology this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 71 ecology degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Graduates of the ecology program make about $25,810 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,887 to complete this degree. See the full ecology program report for University Of California Santa Cruz

18

Iowa State University earned the #18 position for ecology this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 92 ecology degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $29,842. Students borrow a median of $24,347 to complete this degree. See the full ecology program report for Iowa State University

19
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #19 position for ecology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 13 ecology degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete this degree. Get the full ecology details for Towson University

20

University Of California Davis ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best ecology schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 24 ecology degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Students who receive their ecology degree from University Of California Davis earn around $32,161 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $19,951 in student loans. More information about a degree in ecology from University Of California Davis

21

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #21 spot for ecology this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 12 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $39,491 in the first couple years of their career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the ecology program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

22

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #22 position for ecology this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 63 ecology students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $40,352 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,461. See the full ecology program report for Texas A And M University College Station

23

University Of Connecticut placed #23 among the best ecology schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 ecology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Ecology graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $32,882 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,798 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ecology from University Of Connecticut

24

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best ecology schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 59 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology degree from Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn around $31,923 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ecology from Oklahoma State University Main Campus

25

The University Of Montana Western ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best ecology schools. The University Of Montana Western is a small public school located in the town of Dillon. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 10 ecology degrees were awarded at The University Of Montana Western in the most recent year. Graduates of the ecology program make about $36,924 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,484. Get the full ecology details for The University Of Montana Western

Rest of the Top 26 Ecology Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ecology ranking:

26

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Ecology by Region

View the Best Ecology Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Ecology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 87 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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