by our College Data Analytics TeamEcology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools to find the best for ecology students.
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If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the ecology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best ecology schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 ecology students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Read more about the ecology program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the top schools for ecology. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 112 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Ecology graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $36,375 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,635 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ecology from University Of Maryland College Park
New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ecology, ranking #3. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 ecology degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from New York University generally make around $41,024. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ecology from New York University
Stony Brook University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ecology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 14 ecology degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Students who receive their ecology degree from Stony Brook University earn around $22,725 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ecology from Stony Brook University
Students looking for a strong ecology program will find one at Towson University, which ranked #5. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. Towson University awarded about 13 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Ecology graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,241. Get the full ecology details for Towson University
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #6 for ecology this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 12 ecology degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Ecology graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $39,491 early in their careers. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full ecology program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.