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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Ecology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

2 Colleges in the United States
159 Ecology Degrees Awarded
$44,530 Avg Early-Career Salary

Ecology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best ecology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Ecology in the Rocky Mountains Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall ecology education in the Rocky Mountains Region.

Top Schools in Ecology

1

Leading the list is Colorado State University Fort Collins, our #1 school for ecology. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 ecology degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent year. Students who receive their ecology degree from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn around $48,193 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the ecology program at Colorado State University Fort Collins

2

A rank of #2 makes Utah State University one of the top schools for ecology. This very large public university is located in the city of Logan. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 104 ecology degrees were awarded at Utah State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their ecology degree from Utah State University earn around $50,348 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete this degree. See the full ecology program report for Utah State University

3

The University Of Montana Western is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ecology, ranking #3. This small public university is located in the town of Dillon. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Montana Western awarded about 10 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology degree from The University Of Montana Western earn around $36,924 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Montana Western graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans. Read more about the ecology program at The University Of Montana Western

4

The University Of Montana came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best ecology schools. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. The University Of Montana awarded about 17 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology degree from The University Of Montana earn around $42,654 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Montana graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. More information about a degree in ecology from The University Of Montana

Narrow Ecology Schools by State

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View All Ecology Rankings >

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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 · 12 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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