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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Environmental Biology Master’s Degree Schools

2 Colleges in the United States
$22,433 Avg Student Debt
$67,066 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Environmental Biology Master's Degree Badge [Environmental Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/environmental-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 68 schools to find the best return on investment for environmental biology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Environmental Biology Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in environmental biology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Environmental Biology Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best value for environmental biology in the United States. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Environmental Biology graduates carry a median of $16,672 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental biology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,672 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

2

North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental biology schools. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete the environmental biology program here. Soon after graduation, environmental biology degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $54,076. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Troy University earned it the #3 place for environmental biology. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Environmental Biology graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Early-career environmental biology graduates make about $46,723. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

4
Unity College crest
Unity College
New Gloucester, ME

Unity College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,640. Environmental Biology graduates carry a median of $27,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental biology degree recipients from Unity College generally make around $36,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry earned it the #5 place for environmental biology. Located in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,303, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,763. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry admits about 63% of applicants.

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6

Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #6 position for value in environmental biology this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Environmental Biology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Environmental Biology graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $48,193 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

7

Texas A And M University College Station placed #7 among the best values for environmental biology. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for environmental biology graduates is $23,461. Early-career environmental biology graduates make about $52,933. That is a strong return on a $23,461 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

8
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #8 among the best values for environmental biology. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Environmental Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career environmental biology graduates make about $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

9
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania placed #9 among the best values for environmental biology. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Environmental Biology graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Environmental Biology graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

Other Environmental Biology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value environmental biology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Environmental Biology
Associate's Degrees in Environmental Biology
Bachelor's Degrees in Environmental Biology
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View All Environmental Biology Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 68 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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